The Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ron Hextall told reporters back in May that he is determined to keep franchise legends Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, both free agents this offseason, with the organization. Hextall’s goal is now half-accomplished after the Penguins announced they managed to hammer out an extension for Letang.
According to the franchise, Letang inked a new six-year deal that will pay him $36.6 million. The agreement keeps him with the franchise through the 2027-28 NHL season when he’ll be 41.
Confirming the deal in a statement, Hextall said that the organization is thrilled to make Letang “a Penguin for life.”
“Kris epitomizes what it means to be a Pittsburgh Penguin,” said Hextall. “The role he plays on our team is irreplaceable, he is a leader in our locker room, and has made countless contributions to the organization over the last 15-plus years, which includes three Stanley Cup Championships.”
Hextall will now probably shift focus to Malkin, although that is predicted to be a tougher challenge. Pittsburgh also has several other free agents it is considering bringing back, including winger Rickard Rakell and center Evan Rodrigues.
Kris Letang made his debut for the Penguins during the 2006–07 season and has since played 941 games in the NHL for the franchise. Letang scored 144 goals and dished 506 assists for a total of 650 points in those games. The Montreal native, who owns almost every Penguins record for a defenseman, has six All-Star appearances and two NHL Second Team All-Star nods.
