(Pittsburgh) The Pittsburgh Penguins announced that forward Jake Guentzel had surgery on his right ankle on Wednesday and will be reassessed in 12 weeks.

In 78 games last season, Guentzel had 36 goals and 37 assists.

“As Jake continued and increased the intensity of his preparation for the upcoming season, it became increasingly apparent that his ankle injury was not healing satisfactorily for him and the Penguins,” said Penguins president of hockey operations and general manager Kyle Dubas in a statement.

Guentzel, 28, is about to complete the final season of a five-year contract earning him an average annual salary of US$6 million. He could become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

The Penguins’ 2013 third-round pick, 77th overall, Guentzel has 197 goals and 217 assists in 453 NHL games. He added 58 points, including 34 goals, in 58 career playoff games.

Guentzel helped the Penguins win the Stanley Cup in his first pro season in 2016-17.

Last season, the Penguins were kicked out of the spring tournament for the first time since 2006.