In connection with the Penguins’ poor start this season, we heard earlier this week that all the players would be available in Pittsburgh… Except Sidney Crosby.
And there, you will understand that the rumor machine has started in Montreal about Kris Letang.
After all, how long has his name been linked to that of the Canadian?
The idea can be interesting if we think that Letang throws from the right, that he would provide leadership in the locker room and that he has already won the Stanley Cup… But it is above all the defender’s contract that poses a problem.
At 37 years old, he is in the third year (of six) of an agreement which allows him to receive $6.1 million per season. He will be 41 when his contract ends, and we are already seeing some regression in his game.
Letang has only six points in 18 games this season…
That said, the subject was raised several times yesterday on BPM Sports and Tony Marinaro perfectly summed up the situation with just a few words.
Because at the financial level and at the level of Letang’s contract, the idea of acquiring him is illogical:
Hey! At the end of his contract, he will be 41 years old. Why don’t we bring Santa Claus while we’re at it? –Tony Marinaro
Letang has his qualities and we know them.
We will also need veterans to supervise the younger ones on the blue line (especially if David Savard leaves) and Letang could be ideal for this role.
But there are others who are veteran defenders… And there are especially others who cost less and who are younger.
If Letang were younger, we wouldn’t even ask questions. But at 37, his good years are behind him and the Canadian does not need to run the risk of adding a burden that will hurt the team even if the Penguins keep part of his salary.
And on the other hand, it doesn’t fit with Kent Hughes’ plan, who is not looking to add talent tomorrow by sacrificing his future.
Because it also has to be said: the Penguins are not going to give Letang for free to any NHL club. The price is likely to be high and it would not be worth paying for a defender in decline who will celebrate his 38th birthday next April.
Oh, and you also have to think about his injury history in all of this…
In the end, Tony Marinaro is right: acquiring Kris Letang won’t help the Canadian.
Maybe in the short term, but I can’t see Kent Hughes spending to get his hands on a player who won’t be able to help the club for several years.
In burst
– There are people at mass!
– It looks like this.
– It’s up to him to grab it.
– Logic.
– Ouain…
