Consensus opinion seems to be that Carolina Hurricanes winger Jake Guentzel is planning to test free agency when his contract officially expires July 1. Does that mean he would consider returning to the Penguins on a new deal?

The Athletic’s Josh Yohe believes so, after he says he spoke with a person he described as being “close to Guentzel.”

“The verdict: Guentzel would love to return to Pittsburgh, and there’s a chance it happens — but only a small chance,” Yohe wrote.

Yohe continued:

Guentzel’s desire to return to Pittsburgh makes sense. Guentzel and his wife, Natalie, love it here. Guentzel loves playing for Sullivan and loves playing on Sidney Crosby’s left wing. Incidentally, Crosby would like to have Guentzel back.

There would be some significant obstacles to that reunion, including what Yohe described as Guentzel’s “disenchantment” with Kyle Dubas’ extension negotiations (or lack thereof.)

There’s also the Penguins’ tight cap situation and Guentzel’s pending raise, although how much room Pittsburgh will have to meet his salary needs remains in flux depending on what contracts Dubas can move this offseason.

Yohe’s comment mostly backs up previous reporting that Guentzel at least plans to test free agency before deciding whether or not to return to the Hurricanes.

Still, it is interesting to hear that someone in his camp believes he would consider the Penguins, given his dissatisfaction with the midseason trade that sent him to Carolina.

This could mostly be a strategy from Guentzel’s side to drive bidding in a market that reportedly already contains the Hurricanes and Vancouver Canucks.

If Guentzel really would consider a bid from Pittsburgh, however, Dubas and the rest of the Penguins leadership will need to decide what portion of the cap they can afford to offer a top-line winger given the significant roster needs amid the bottom six forwards and third defense pairing.