The Pittsburgh Penguins are kicking off their offseason in rather disappointing fashion. The team spent most of the 2012-13 season as favorites to win the Stanley Cup and instead were beat out in the Eastern Conference Finals, barely putting up a fight against the Boston Bruins. Now, they must attempt to figure out where they went wrong and lock down key pieces for the 2013 season. After signing Evgeni Malkin to a massive contract extension, the Penguins may be forced to trade away some players.
Kris Letang has a contract that expires at the end of next season. While the team is trying to work out an extension with the Norris Trophy finalist, talks have not gone well, mainly due to salary cap issues. General manager Ray Shero is running out of space after the Malkin contract. It added to the current large deals with Sidney Crosby and James Neal. Those three contracts account for $23 million of the salary cap space, leaving little room. Letang is expecting $7 million and the team cannot afford it.
This leaves Letang's future in Pittsburgh rather muddy. After the Penguins traded Jordan Staal last year for cap issues and Letang could have the same fate. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that Letang would like to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs if a trade is the only option.
The paper reports that while Letang has not requested a trade, he would like some say in where he goes if that is what the team decides to do. At this point, Letang is focused on trying to agree to a favorable contract extension, but talks have been breaking down. Letang's agent said he has not discussed anything with Toronto at this point.
If Pittsburgh were to orchestrate a trade for Letang, they would expect a lot in return. Presumably, the team would want an NHL-ready player currently under contract, another top prospect and a top draft pick as well. Toronto does have the cap space to take on Letang's salary and he would be a great addition to the team. The Leafs need help on the blue line and Letang's power-play abilities are one of the best in the league.
Letang's first choice is to stay in Pittsburgh, and it should be. The team is in contention every year for the Stanley Cup and he only adds to the already impressive roster. Pittsburgh will not let him walk away that easily, but a trade might end up being their only option due to Letang's price tag being high.
