Brewin Flames Posted July 7, 2022 Share Posted July 7, 2022 (edited) Kris Letang, Pittsburgh Penguins reach six-year, $36.6 million extension 1:06 PM ET Kristen ShiltonESPN NHL reporter The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed veteran defenseman Kris Letang to a six-year, $36.6 million extension, general manager Ron Hextall announced Thursday. Letang was a pending unrestricted free agent later this month. His new deal begins in 2022-23 and runs through 2027-28. "Kris epitomizes what it means to be a Pittsburgh Penguin," Hextall said in a statement. "The role he plays on our team is irreplaceable, he is a leader in our locker room, and has made countless contributions to the organization over the last 15-plus years, which includes three Stanley Cup championships. We are thrilled to make him a Penguin for life." Letang, 35, has spent his entire career with the Penguins in a prominent top-four role. Pittsburgh drafted him in the third round, 62nd overall, in the 2005 NHL entry draft, and he now leads all franchise defenseman in most games (941), goals scored (144), assists (506) and points (650). Letang is also a three-time Cup winner with Pittsburgh, earning titles in 2009, 2016 and 2017. His postseason totals -- 149 games, 23 goals, 67 assists and 95 points -- are most ever by a Penguins defenseman. Getting Letang locked up on a relatively team-friendly deal is good business for him and the Penguins. Pittsburgh has limited cap space to address a few key free agents -- including center Evgeni Malkin -- and offering Letang a longer-term deal makes up for a potentially lower salary than he could have fetched on the open market. In addition to Malkin, the Penguins also have Rickard Rakell and Evan Rodrigues coming up on free agency this month. Starting goaltender Tristan Jarry is entering the final season of his deal as well, making it all the more important Hextall be prudent now with what space he has to work with. Edited July 7, 2022 by Brewin Flames Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Math Posted July 7, 2022 Share Posted July 7, 2022 6-yr deal at age 35+, it's long... 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TropicalFruitGirl26 Posted July 7, 2022 Share Posted July 7, 2022 (edited) Apparently, Moms aren't the only ones who prefer Le-Tang..... Edited July 7, 2022 by TropicalFruitGirl26 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yave1964 Posted July 7, 2022 Share Posted July 7, 2022 He had a legit monster year last season and used right will continue to be an offensive weapon for several more years. IMHO the best way to use him is to sign a shut down guy who can allow them to cut Letangs minutes per game by two or three per night. I read in a couple of places that Schultz is showing interest of returning but I dont know if he has anything left. I dont hate the signing even at his age because the money isnt terrible, the cap will go up in the next year or two probably significantly so 6 million is a lot of money but not as bad as it has been in years past He isnt starving lol but I think shorter term elsewhere he coulda got more money. Good on him that he chose to stay with his long term team. Probably means Malkin is gone. I have read several places Malkin to Seattle or (shudder) Detroit. He still scores at a fantastic pace but misses half the season Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brewin Flames Posted July 7, 2022 Author Share Posted July 7, 2022 2 hours ago, yave1964 said: He had a legit monster year last season and used right will continue to be an offensive weapon for several more years. IMHO the best way to use him is to sign a shut down guy who can allow them to cut Letangs minutes per game by two or three per night. I read in a couple of places that Schultz is showing interest of returning but I dont know if he has anything left. I dont hate the signing even at his age because the money isnt terrible, the cap will go up in the next year or two probably significantly so 6 million is a lot of money but not as bad as it has been in years past He isnt starving lol but I think shorter term elsewhere he coulda got more money. Good on him that he chose to stay with his long term team. Probably means Malkin is gone. I have read several places Malkin to Seattle or (shudder) Detroit. He still scores at a fantastic pace but misses half the season I've actually heard malkin to the caps but that seems like blasphemy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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