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Penguins top priority right now is... |
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It has been quiet for the most part surrounding the Letang and Malkin contract negotiations, which is what Ron Hextall and the players reportedly prefer. We do have a new report with things on the Letang front.
Signing Kris Letang to a new, multi-season contract is the Penguins’ top priority, multiple club and NHL sources told The Athletic.
Letang is the Penguins’ top defenseman. He said after the Penguins’ postseason ended that he would like to play for at least another five seasons, and there is optimism among club management and his representation that a deal can be reached to prevent him from becoming an unrestricted free agent in July, the sources said.
Over a dozen Penguins and NHL personnel spoke for this story. Anonymity was granted because they were not authorized to speak publicly on contract negotiations and other club-related matters.
General manager Ron Hextall said at his end-of-season media session that he wants to see Letang and Evgeni Malkin retire as Penguins.
The Penguins identified Letang as their top priority for retention after quickly agreeing to a new contract for winger Bryan Rust following their opening-round loss to the Rangers in the Stanley Cup playoffs, the sources said.
If true, this is good news. Letang should absolutely be a priority. He is more of an unknown than Malkin as far as retention is concerned. Letang is the one likelier to test the waters of free agency. Letang is the one who has not used the term “discount” at any point in this process. They need to lock down what he is going to cost and then they can move forward with Evgeni Malkin’s extension.
Discussions between the Penguins and representatives for Letang and Malkin are ongoing, but management wants to know how much Letang will cost before turning its attention more seriously to Malkin, club and league sources said.
Malkin is on record saying he will take a paycut. Malkin has been pretty vocal about wanting to retire a Penguin. I’m fine if the team wants to focus more on Letang at the moment. Once Letang’s contract is settled the Malkin negotiations will probably be easier than they were with #58.
My thoughts haven’t changed. The team has the ability to bring both of these players back and it is the prudent move. You are never guaranteed to convince UFA’s to sign with your team. The Penguins don’t really have assets to trade for a Malkin and/or Letang replacement. I wouldn’t play games and rely on the unknown. Just stick with the great players you already have.
I hope this report is true and I hope this gets resolved sooner than later.
Thanks for reading!
Pittsburgh Penguins Blogger • 
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