Now that you know he's gonna get traded, he's terrible defensively. But while you had him, he is a top 3 d-man? Much like pens fans who are scared he's gonna get traded, they start making themselves feel better by saying Letang is bad defensively. I don't think he's bad. He's average defensively with elite offensive skills. And you can't compare playoff series when your goaltender was Marc Andre Fluery. How is that Letang's fault in the Philly series? Fluery couldn't stop a beach ball. So Letang's numbers don't look as good. Let's just say if Letang was in Boston, his D would be considered excellent because his goalie is great. You don't get nominated for the Norris without being at least decent defensively.
- Smurfs-A-Joke

Pens fans haven't been eased with Letangs power play inadequacy we, turnovers, and other defensive deficiencies for awhile. It's not a product of trade speculation causing us to convince ourselves he has issues. Go find threads from the regular season and first 2 rounds of the playoffs.

And plenty of guys get nominated for the Norris while actually being mediocre defensively. Hell Karlsson won it. And for 7 million a year you should expect more than someone who is simply decent defensively.

I like both offers, if true. Ball is in Letang's court.
- Ryan_Wilson

Early on, I liked the idea of a 4 year x $6 million deal. It gets Letang a nice raise, helps the Pens out, and puts Letang as a UFA at 30 years old, with a much higher cap ceiling for him to break the bank somewhere else.

Part of the problem was offense from D. It didnt help out forwards.
- Deadstar

Agreed, but that isn't on Letang, who finished 2nd in assists among all players in the post-season.

Agreed, but that isn't on Letang, who finished 2nd in assists among all players in the post-season.
- kill.monsters

Neither was on Martin. Niskanen struggled badly. Even Murray, a stay-at-home D, had more points than him. It was an adjustment thing during the series.

The hawks don't have any big bone crushing defenseman. Keith, Seabrook, hjalmarsson, and Oduya are steady, smart, quick D men. If letang is traded, the pens will have to do something to make up for his speed in the backend. Races for the pucks, being able to skate out of trouble, and joining the rush was something letang excelled in during the regular season and will be missed very much if/when he is gone. If its anyone I want to see Despres paired with, it's either Martin or letang. Pairing Despres with Niskanen, engelland, or even orpik will be just as frustrating as seeing Bennett on the 3rd/4th lines. Give letang a steady partner and let them grow some chemistry. Letang has the skill and he (like Other pens players) had a rough post season. Just like Martin did a complete turnaround on his game, the same can be done with letang. I'd say only trade him if its a no brainer for shero

From the Vancouver thread:

But if Shero is stupid enough to be taking offers, I'll start the bidding at Edler, Schroeder and a first round pick for Letang.

Make it Gaunce and we may think about it.

Agreed, but that isn't on Letang, who finished 2nd in assists among all players in the post-season.
- kill.monsters

Offense is more than just points, at least to me. It is about controlling the flow of the game and maintaining the ability to attack the opposition. Letang did a poor job of assisting the forwards in their ability to consistently attack the opposition with puck possession.

That should be one of Letang's best strengths.

Early on, I liked the idea of a 4 year x $6 million deal. It gets Letang a nice raise, helps the Pens out, and puts Letang as a UFA at 30 years old, with a much higher cap ceiling for him to break the bank somewhere else.
- rival22

4 years would be ideal. By that time, we will see if Despres, pouliot, maatta, or Harrington can be the go to guy on D. Maybe throw a limited nmc in there and trade him with a year left on his contract if one of the prospects do step up big

4 years would be ideal. By that time, we will see if Despres, pouliot, maatta, or Harrington can be the go to guy on D. Maybe throw a limited nmc in there and trade him with a year left on his contract if one of the prospects do step up big
- drummer829

I agree. In a perfect world. He probably would ask for a little more: 4 years @ $6.5M per.

I like both offers, if true. Ball is in Letang's court.
- Ryan_Wilson

So, status quo. Don't get me wrong ... he is a very good player, but I fail to see how we are any better with this after seeing us lose in four games to the Bruins.

So, status quo
- Oneonta Penguin

Yep

Wow, I can't believe Kunitz cashed in that badly. Taking the Pens to the cleaners, with that extra $125k a year.

So, status quo
- Oneonta Penguin

Reporter: would you take a discount to remain in Pittsburgh? Other player have done that in the past...

Letang: "It's not my call"

Wow, I can't believe Kunitz cashed in that badly. Taking the Pens to the cleaners, with that extra $125k a year.
- BulliesPhan87

For a guy who was supposed to get 88pts this season, in a full season, it's a pretty good deal for us He's gotten better each year.

Yep
- Ryan_Wilson

That doesn't make us serious Cup contenders in my book. Same coach, same goalie, same system, same gaffes. Where exactly are the changes Shero promised? Trading Niskanen and inserting Despres?

Reporter: would you take a discount to remain in Pittsburgh? Other player have done that in the past...

Letang: "It's not my call"
- Orpik44

Yes that's pretty much what he said haha.

That doesn't make us serious Cup contenders in my book. Same coach, same goalie, same system, same gaffes. Where exactly are the changes Shero promised? Trading Niskanen and inserting Despres?
- Oneonta Penguin

And putting Bennett in the top 6

Pens fans haven't been eased with Letangs power play inadequacy we, turnovers, and other defensive deficiencies for awhile. It's not a product of trade speculation causing us to convince ourselves he has issues. Go find threads from the regular season and first 2 rounds of the playoffs.

And plenty of guys get nominated for the Norris while actually being mediocre defensively. Hell Karlsson won it. And for 7 million a year you should expect more than someone who is simply decent defensively.
- schiefer466

True. I was just saying how people are trying to knock Letang's play when he is an elite d-man. What would it take for the Caps to get him? 1st rounder, Alzner, and a prospect? Also I think Karlsson is way better defensively than Subban who won this year. Subban is always out of position. I think Letang's better than him. Suter should have won the Norris though.

Yes that's pretty much what he said haha.
- drummer829

I give Letang a pass on that... It serves him no purpose to publicly say he would or would not take a discount, and with English not even being his first language, any comment could easily be taken out of context.

Was up all night with a sick kid, so i am just catching up on everything.

Love the Kunitz extension. To think, in the 4+ years he's been a Penguin, he has gotten better every year, and in 2 contract extensions, he has increased his cap hit 125k TOTAL from the contract that the Ducks gave him in 2008. Talk about a team first guy. Happy to see him in a Pens sweater for the rest of his career.

A lot of people in here are b!tching about Disco Dan, and i find it funny that he seems to be the frontrunner for the US Olympic head coaching job. Yes, he mismanaged some issues, but there aren't a lot of coaches out there i would want to have instead of him.

And putting Bennett in the top 6
- drummer829

Fine ... I think he should be. Hell, with what I saw of Cooke with Malkin and Neal in game 3 and 4 I think, I'd put him in the top six too if resigned.

Bottom line, status quo doesn't cut it to me. We have some flaws that need to be addressed and Despres and Bennett don't cover them all.

Fine ... I think he should be. Hell, with what I saw of Cooke with Malkin and Neal in game 3 and 4 I think, I'd put him in the top six too if resigned.

Bottom line, status quo doesn't cut it to me. We have some flaws that need to be addressed and Despres and Bennett don't cover them all.
- Oneonta Penguin

right...but it's June 27th. We haven't even had the draft yet, let alone free-agency. Pretty hard to already be claiming that GM of the Year Ray Shero has settled for the "status quo."

Was up all night with a sick kid, so i am just catching up on everything.

Love the Kunitz extension. To think, in the 4+ years he's been a Penguin, he has gotten better every year, and in 2 contract extensions, he has increased his cap hit 125k TOTAL from the contract that the Ducks gave him in 2008. Talk about a team first guy. Happy to see him in a Pens sweater for the rest of his career.

A lot of people in here are b!tching about Disco Dan, and i find it funny that he seems to be the frontrunner for the US Olympic head coaching job. Yes, he mismanaged some issues, but there aren't a lot of coaches out there i would want to have instead of him.
- cap1681

OK, who would be the serious candidates with Bylsma? Sacco? Fired ... Capuano? Torts? Not too many good options here. Could you see Torts talking to media in Sochi? His system sucks to begin with.

Report on TIOPS is saying 8yrs at 52-54 mil with very little wiggle room. Also says Letang's camp is furious over the Toronto rumor. Letang's agent says that's completely unfounded. So pretty much confirms what we all think about Rossi.

So pretty much confirms what we all think about Rossi.
- madmike71