We have some information coming out about a potential Kris Letang extension as well as Ron Hextall speaking about the deadline. Let’s start with the Letang news:
Frank Seravalli on the Daily Faceoff Show says Kris Letang's agent ask on a new contract with the Penguins is a 5 year deal with a number that starts with a 7. Penguins may go with a higher AAV offer with lower term
— Editor in J (@Account4hockey) March 10, 2022
I think this is great news. This is a reasonable starting point. The five years is a bit much, but I honestly don’t care. If his cap hit has a seven in front of it the five years don’t really matter in the big picture. The Penguins have to embrace the fact things are going to all crumble apart in a few years. Accept that and make the best of things until then.
If push comes to shove give Letang the five years and the cap hit with a seven in front of it. I’m willing to negotiate and see how high the cap hit would be to cut the contract to let’s say, three years. He might want too much (~8.5M) and it might just be better to eat the five years.
Between Letang reportedly willing to keep his cap hit under eight and Malkin’s willingness to take a pay cut I personally don’t see either player playing for another organization for the near future. This is a great development because if you don’t have Letang this entire operation might as well be blown up. There’s no path to replacing Letang that would cost less, either through cap hit or assets spent. He’s literally the only feasible path to keep things moving forward at this point. It has to be done.
As for the deadline
GM Ron Hextall: "I feel pretty good about the depth of our team. Would we like to add a little bit up front? Yeah, that would be a fair statement... I feel good, I don't feel like I have to do anything, but if we can get better I am going to try."
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 11, 2022
I suggest that the GM try very hard because the status quo isn’t going to cut it. The Eastern Conference is not going to be an easy one to get out of. The Penguins need more scoring. The first-round pick needs to be in play. I would argue if the Penguins do not aggressively shop their 2022 first round pick it would be malpractice. Combining the first round pick with a player like Kasperi Kapnaen or John Marino could make for an interesting impact trade. This needs to be explored.
You have top tier teams like Carolina, Florida, and Tampa Bay in the conference. Boston and Toronto can be a handful. The Rangers have the best goalie in the league at the moment. Washington is probably the least dangerous team, but they aren’t a push over. They have talent themselves. These other teams will likely be looking to improve their squads at the deadline as well.
Ron Hextall is more reserved in both demeanor and the number of trades he makes when compared to his predecessor. He can’t casually just hope something falls in his lap. He needs to be actively looking for scoring help. This isn’t to say he’s not, just that he 100% has to.
The Penguins are back in action tonight against newly minted villain Jack Eichel and his Vegas Golden Knights
Thanks for reading!