Fresh off an impressive sophomore campaign which saw him put up 18 goals, 35 points and 121 SOG in 45 games played, Dylan Guenter has signed an eight-year contract extension worth $7.14M AAV ($57.12M total) with Utah. The 21-year-old right-winger was Arizona's 2021 1st-round pick (9th overall) and is expected to take a large step forward as a member of Utah's top six and likely top powerplay in 2024-25.
Guenther made the Coyotes roster out of training camp last season, tallying 15 points (6G / 9A) in 33 games before finishing his season with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL. This year, the ninth overall pick from the 2021 NHL Entry Draft will debut the season in the AHL. Guenther proved that he could compete in the NHL last season and could find his way back with the Coyotes at some point this year.
Guenther has six goals, nine assists, 53 SOG, 10 PIMs and a -7 plus/minus through 33 games this season but will head back to junior hockey in Seattle (WHL) for the remained of the season. In Guenther's previous junior season in 2021-22 with the Edmonton Oil Kings, he had 45 goals and 91 points in 59 games played.
Guenther was a healthy scratch for the Coyotes' previous game but will draw back into the lineup Wednesday. The 19-year-old rookie has been having a strong start offensive start to his season with three goals and four assists but struggled defensively with a -9 plus/minus through 15 games played.
Guenther was the No.9 overall pick in 2021 and scored 45 goals with 46 assists (91 points) in 59 WHL games last season. With Nick Schmaltz out, Guenther figures to be plugged into the Coyotes' top-6 for his NHL debut.