Letang agrees to sign with Pens (8 yrs, $58 million) UPD: Official

[Heavy Jack]

The guy was up for Norris nomination this year. Something has to give though in Pitt, way too much money between too few players just means headaches going forward for them.

[Hockey_Ninja]

Chara is the only D-man in the league i'd give that money too.

[Bertuzzied]

Well at least the Pens won't be winning the cup anytime soon.

[frinkprof]

Look for MA Fleury to be bought out or traded.

[awildermode]

$56M was not enough? $58M is okay?

so he wanted his pay to match is jersey number? Play for the logo on the front, not the name on the back...but get payed the number you wear.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

They don't have a choice. Essentially, you're saying you'll deal with the later for a shot at the cup now

I don't think Letang is necessarily right for "now" though. I think this years playoffs showed that they need to re-think their defensive strategy. Spending $7M on one guy sure hampers doing that.

[sureLoss]

Apparently there has been a hold up on the NTC or Jeff Carter clause

http://thehockeywriters.com/kris-letang-negotiations/

Summary of the article is that Letang wants a verbal agreement from Shero and the Pens that he will not be traded next summer before the NTC kicks in on this 8 year deal.. (i.e. he doesn't want to be Jeff Carter'd)

[OILFAN #81]

Originally Posted by Hockey_Ninja

Chara is the only D-man in the league i'd give that money too.

I'd give that money to Duncan Keith and Ryan Suter too.

[d_phaneuf]

I'd give it to Weber, Keith, and Suter before Chara at this point too

[Table 5]

Gotta say, this kid has balls to ask for that kind of money, and still hold out for a NTC.

[trackercowe]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

I'd give it to Weber, Keith, and Suter before Chara at this point too

Those are the only dmen you can say with conviction that are better than Letang though. Karlsson, Doughty, and Pietrangelo being right there with him.

[Canada 02]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Apparently there has been a hold up on the NTC or Jeff Carter clause

http://thehockeywriters.com/kris-letang-negotiations/

Summary of the article is that Letang wants a verbal agreement from Shero and the Pens that he will not be traded next summer before the NTC kicks in on this 8 year deal.. (i.e. he doesn't want to be Jeff Carter'd)

making verbal agreements outside of a contract should be considered cap circumvention, imo

[Red John]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Gotta say, this kid has balls to ask for that kind of money, and still hold out for a NTC.

Yep. Sounds like he has a major chip on his shoulder and is going to take the Pens for everything he can.

Seems like a silly way to earn respect as a top player, since that seems to be his endgame based on rumours.

[sureLoss]

official
http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=676209

[Rudee]

This is not going to end well. I say within 2 years Letang's game will turn south bigtime, and the Penguins will look back and regret this.

[sun]

Originally Posted by Rudee

This is not going to end well. I say within 2 years Letang's game will turn south bigtime, and the Penguins will look back and regret this.

Do you think he'll be too slow after a couple years?