Ryan Wilson: What should the Penguins do with Kris Letang? Pittsburgh defenseman Kris Letang will be entering the final season of his current contract. Should the Penguins extend him or trade him?

2 in less than 24 hours... He really wants that permanent writing spot

Great blog. I think we have seen the last of Letang in a Penguins' sweater. This team does not need a prolific offensive threat from the blue line with all the talent they have up front. Would love to see Shero deal Letang for a cap friendlier, solid, stay at home defenseman and a forward prospect to fill into the system. Shero is a genius at getting the most out of a trade, so it will be fun to watch where he goes. There should be 10-15 teams interested in Letang's services.

Ryan Wilson: What should the Penguins do with Kris Letang?
Pittsburgh defenseman Kris Letang will be entering the final season of his current contract. Should the Penguins extend him or trade him?
- Ryan_Wilson

Glad to see you where you belong, sir. Grats.

His blogs... so good

Ryan Wilson: What should the Penguins do with Kris Letang?
Pittsburgh defenseman Kris Letang will be entering the final season of his current contract. Should the Penguins extend him or trade him?
- Ryan_Wilson

Trade him to Toronto.

2 in less than 24 hours... He really wants that permanent writing spot
- drummer829

I have a bachelor party all day tomorrow so enjoy this one, haha.

I dont see why Shero cant fit Letang in their roster. The cap in the last CBA rose on an average of 7% a year. With that forecast the cap after next season should rise to around 68 mil and then around 72 mil the following season.

Letang could sign for a deal similar to Karlsson(6.5 mil a year). They will not be able to replace what Letang brings to the team.

I think he stays long term.

Great blog. I think we have seen the last of Letang in a Penguins' sweater. This team does not need a prolific offensive threat from the blue line with all the talent they have up front. Would love to see Shero deal Letang for a cap friendlier, solid, stay at home defenseman and a forward prospect to fill into the system. Shero is a genius at getting the most out of a trade, so it will be fun to watch where he goes. There should be 10-15 teams interested in Letang's services.
- cap1681

I was thinking of something prolific to say and then I saw this

Great blog.

The botton line is that Letang is a player you would always want on your team but basically the Pens can't seem to afford him unless he takes a discount.

I may be oversimplifying but it seems he won't be on the team in a couple of years. If true, much of the Pens future hopes rely on the development of their young defensemen, maybe even moreso than the play of Crosby and Malkin (which one anticipates will be strong).

I dont see why Shero cant fit Letang in their roster. The cap in the last CBA rose on an average of 7% a year. With that forecast the cap after next season should rise to around 68 mil and then around 72 mil the following season.

Letang could sign for a deal similar to Karlsson(6.5 mil a year). They will not be able to replace what Letang brings to the team.

I think he stays long term.
- Cup 06

I certainly agree with that logic about the salary cap but the only concern will be the NMC that Letang is asking for. I could see a scenario in which the young prospects eventually start to outplay Letang but the Penguins would be unable to trade away Letang's salary if they so desired.

I certainly agree with that logic about the salary cap but the only concern will be the NMC that Letang is asking for. I could see a scenario in which the young prospects eventually start to outplay Letang but the Penguins would be unable to trade away Letang's salary if they so desired.
- Ryan_Wilson

Isee some of the Pens prospects replacing guys like Martin and Orpik. There is nobody in the pipeline that can replace Letang, he is elite offensively.

EDM would seem to be an ovious partner. What would you expect from them? With only oneyear left I think his value is severly diminished unless he is sure to sign.

Isee some of the Pens prospects replacing guys like Martin and Orpik. There is nobody in the pipeline that can replace Letang, he is elite offensively.
- Cup 06

Pouliot is highly regarded in that same mold.

Two guys taking up a third of the teams cap space means no way to build a contender around them.

Very well-written! Perhaps management should consuder removing your "interim" tag!

Nicely done again Ryan. Its nice to see another long time member her getting the headline spot.

HEY EK: IF YOU ARE READING THIS, GIVE HIM THE FULL TIME GIG IF HE WANTS IT!

Shero is going to do what Shero does, which is first, talk with Letang and his agent and gauge what they want to do.

I believe that Shero will try very hard to re-sign Letang. We talk about the great return that he received for Staal, but also remember that he also pushed very hard to resign Staal, and in fact offered something very comparable to what Jordan ultimately took in Carloine....it was just a matter of fact the #11 wanted to play with his brother(s) and that was that.

If 58 wants more than $5 million annually or wants to test the market (both reasonable positions on Letang's part), then at the very least, Shero should also test the trade market to see what he can get in return and gauge that against the prospect of keeping Letang for one more cup run as a lame duck player. I also think that Shero's discussions with Cooke and Dupuis factor heavily into this equation. If both look like goners, Shero may work to get a forward in return as part of a Letang deal that could fill some of the roles that these guys perform....

Ryan Wilson: What should the Penguins do with Kris Letang?
Pittsburgh defenseman Kris Letang will be entering the final season of his current contract. Should the Penguins extend him or trade him?
- Ryan_Wilson

1. Trade Niskanen/Orpik
2. Bring up younger D prospects (they only have about 80 of them)
3. Use savings from Niskanen/Orpik contracts to extend Letang
4. Dress lineup of Crosby, Malkin, Letang, and a collection of college kids/hobos
5. (insert step here)
6. Rob bank
7. Win Super Bowl

Ryan Wilson: What should the Penguins do with Kris Letang?
Pittsburgh defenseman Kris Letang will be entering the final season of his current contract. Should the Penguins extend him or trade him?
- Ryan_Wilson

burn him at the stake

Nicely done again Ryan. Its nice to see another long time member her getting the headline spot.

HEY EK: IF YOU ARE READING THIS, GIVE HIM THE FULL TIME GIG IF HE WANTS IT!

Shero is going to do what Shero does, which is first, talk with Letang and his agent and gauge what they want to do.

I believe that Shero will try very hard to re-sign Letang. We talk about the great return that he received for Staal, but also remember that he also pushed very hard to resign Staal, and in fact offered something very comparable to what Jordan ultimately took in Carloine....it was just a matter of fact the #11 wanted to play with his brother(s) and that was that.

If 58 wants more than $5 million annually or wants to test the market (both reasonable positions on Letang's part), then at the very least, Shero should also test the trade market to see what he can get in return and gauge that against the prospect of keeping Letang for one more cup run as a lame duck player. I also think that Shero's discussions with Cooke and Dupuis factor heavily into this equation. If both look like goners, Shero may work to get a forward in return as part of a Letang deal that could fill some of the roles that these guys perform....
- Emperor Filonius

Not only does he want north of $5M but probably deserves it based on past accomplishments. I'm just not sure it makes sense for the Pens to have that much dough tied up in 3 players. He is a great player in somewhat of a slump right now. I would expect that he should be able to tighten-up his game even if it costs him a bit on the statsheet. He's still young. That said, it may need to happen in another city.

Not only does he want north of $5M but probably deserves it based on past accomplishments. I'm just not sure it makes sense for the Pens to have that much dough tied up in 3 players. He is a great player in somewhat of a slump right now. I would expect that he should be able to tighten-up his game even if it costs him a bit on the statsheet. He's still young. That said, it may need to happen in another city.
- BOSS_TWEED

I fully agree that he will want north of $5mm and that someone will pay him that amount. If he didn't make so many asinine decisions with the puck, and was more consistent, I'd be all in favor of trying very hard to re-sign him. As it is, considering the quality and depth of the guys the Pens have in the pipeline, I won't be surprised at all if they trade him.

I fully agree that he will want north of $5mm and that someone will pay him that amount. If he didn't make so many asinine decisions with the puck, and was more consistent, I'd be all in favor of trying very hard to re-sign him. As it is, considering the quality and depth of the guys the Pens have in the pipeline, I won't be surprised at all if they trade him.
- Emperor Filonius

I still say he'll be missed more than Malkin would be.

1. Trade Niskanen/Orpik
2. Bring up younger D prospects (they only have about 80 of them)
3. Use savings from Niskanen/Orpik contracts to extend Letang
4. Dress lineup of Crosby, Malkin, Letang, and a collection of college kids/hobos
5. (insert step here)
6. Rob bank
7. Win Super Bowl
- jmatchett383

There is merit to steps 1,2,3, although I think Orpik retires a Penguin. Niskanen I could see being moved.

I still say he'll be missed more than Malkin would be.
- jmatchett383

In the short run, yes. The gamble is that you are relying on one of your high end prospects to pan out in the long term because they will be on a much more affordable ELC vs the known quality/high price that Letang will command. Not an easy call by any means.

There is merit to steps 1,2,3, although I think Orpik retires a Penguin. Niskanen I could see being moved.
- Emperor Filonius

I think Orpik is approaching the point where he stays based on past success versus current production.
I know he's now a masterful postseason offensive machine (j/k), and he can still lower the boom from time to time. But he's really getting to be a liability.