Posts Tagged Kris Letang
Penguins Lock up Kris Letang
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News on March 30th, 2010
The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-signed defenseman Kris Letang for another 4 years. The 22-year-old Letang would have been a restricted free agent at the end of the season. The 4 year contract will pay him an average of $3.5 million per season.
In 67 games this season, Letang has recorded 3 goals and 24 assists. He is averaging 21 minutes and 30 seconds per game, and is a +3 with 47 PIMs.
Though only 22, he`s played in 211 career games so far, recording 21 goals and 58 assists with 98 PIMs.
Wings to Talk to Lidstrom After the Season … MRI for Leighton Today … Malkin out tonight?
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on March 17th, 2010
Around the Boards: Selanne out 2-6 weeks, Goalie dilemma in Nashville? Kings-Frolov to talk, Leclaire out after shot to head
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on January 15th, 2010
- Robyn Norwood of the LA Times: The Anaheim Ducks will be without Teemu Selanne for 2 to 6 weeks after surgery to repair 2 broken bones in his jaw after he took a puck in the face the other night. His participation in the Olympics is in question. He should be fully healed by the trade deadline day.
- John Glennon of the Tennessean: The Nashville Predators find themselves in a situation similar to the Montreal Canadiens, they have 2 free goalies (Pekka Rinne and Dan Ellis) who think they should be a number one goalie. The Preds have been rotating between goalies lately. They may be leaning towards keeping both goalies for the remainder of the season and then trade one before July 1st and at least receive some compensation. “I don’t see (a goalie trade) happening now, but if one of our guys was to play 15 games in a row before the deadline, or if there were injuries, problems or holes in another area we needed to fill … ” Poile said before the team left on its three-game swing.
- Rich Hammond of the LAKingsInsider.com: Hammond interviews GM Dean Lombardi. Lombardi has a meeting scheduled this month with Frolov’s agent. If they are unable to reach a deal by the trade deadline, they are still most likely going to hang on to him instead of trading for draft picks. But I wouldn’t be surprised if Frolov would be part of a package to bring a star, such as some guy playing in Atlanta.
- Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Penguins GM Ray Shero has begun contract talks with defenceman Sergei Gonchar and Kris Letang. I think it will be tough to fit both Gonchar and Letang under the Pens salary cap, unless both players sign for a friendly number.
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Pascal Leclaire suffered a mild concussion at yesterday’s morning skate after taking a shot to the head. The Sens goaltender statistics rank among the worst, and sf the Sens begin looking for a goalie, expect to hear Martin Biron’s name come up. Same could be said for any team that might be in the market for a goalie.
- The Calgary Herald: The Flames would like to re-sign both Olli Jokinen and Rene Bourque. Jokinen would have to take a pay cut, and Bourque will be looking for a big raise as he’s having an excellent season. Some are saying Bourque could get in the neighbourhood of $4 million a season.
Around the Boards: Phaneuf trade rumors false says Sutter, Ribeiro out 4-6 weeks, Will take a 3rd for Biron
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on January 8th, 2010
- John Down of the Calgary Herald: Calgary Flames GM, Darryl Sutter, put a squash to the internet trade rumor, that he was exploring trading defencemen Dion Phaneuf. “Everything is false,” said Sutter of the rampant speculation surrounding his 24-year-old blueliner. “Whoever makes up that stuff is not doing anything. We’ve worked really hard at building a top young defence in the league and our intention is to keep them, so that’s (rumours) just from somebody who didn’t have anything to do on that day.”
- By the AP on NESN.com: Massachusetts House Speaker Robert DeLeo has sent a letter to Gary Bettman, saying that he thinks that Boston should hold an annual outdoor game. He said this past game was an economic boon for the area, would solidify league base in the area, and would help grow the game in the Boston area.
- David Staples of the Edmonton Journal: Andrew Cogliano has had his name in some trade rumors lately, mainly to the New York Rangers, but Staples thinks it would be a mistake to trade him.
- Chris Botta of NYI Point Blank: The cost of trading for Martin Biron is apparently a 3rd round pick. If the Islanders are able to get a 3rd round pick for him, it was definitely a good off-season signing (not looking at his 2-10-2 record). He was signed at a reasonable price, and getting a decent pick for 1/2 to 3/4 of a season, is nice move.
- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Not good news for Dallas Stars fans. Mike Ribeiro will lost for4 to 6 weeks after taking an accidental high stick to the throat. He had a tracheotomy to reduce the swelling to allow him to breathe easier.
- Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: A reader writes in to Molinari asking if the Penguins would trade Kris Letang this season for a scoring winger. Molinari doesn’t think so.
Around the Boards: Some under-achieving Avs, DUI for Chelios, Ference out 6 weeks, Burns Skating
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on January 7th, 2010
- Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post: The Colorado Avalanche continue to roll on, but there are several players that aren’t living up to expectations. “The Avs are getting next to nothing from Darcy Tucker, Marek Svatos, Ruslan Salei and Liles, whose combined salaries exceed $12 million”…. “John-Michael Liles produced an assist on a goal against the Islanders, but when I asked Sacco to evaluate the highly-paid defenseman’s performance, it’s seems to be no secret that the Avs would like to trade Liles to Mystery, Alaska, for a bag of pucks.”
- Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Talks between the Pittsburgh Penguins, Sergei Gonchar and Kris Letang are ongoing, but they don’t appear to be close to anything.
- Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Confirmation that Henrik Zetterberg and Danny Cleary will return to the Red Wings lineup tonight.
- Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: After an impressive run at the World Juniors, earning the top defenceman of the tournament, Alex Pietrangelo earned himself a ticket back the OHL. Blues management felt that rather than play spot duty or be a healthy scratch, playing big minutes with Niagara was better for him.
- Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune: Minnesota Wild defencemen Brent Burns has been skating for the last 2 weeks. He is still awaiting medical clearance for his concussion, but there is hope that he is able to return soon.
- Nancy Marrapese-Burrell of the Boston Globe: Boston Bruins defenceman Andrew Ference will be out 6 weeks with a groin injury.
Around the Boards: Habs keeping Halak? Hitchcock safe for now, Gonchar leaving Pens after season? Kessel almost a Blue last season
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on December 28th, 2009
- Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News:
- The starting goalie flip-flop in Montreal may have taken place again, with Jaroslav Halak winning 3 consecutive games. Carey Pirce had lost 4 straight decisions. It’s looking like the Canadiens might be keeping Halak.
- Columbus is currently having a franchise worst stretch, 2-11-5, and coach Ken Hitchcock job is safe for at least the time being. Columbus has reportedly been looking to make a few shake-up deals, but have been unsuccessful so far. Team Leadership is something they need.
- This season could be the last for Sergei Gonchar in Pittsburgh unless he’ll take a pay cut. The 36 year old is looking for a 3 to 4 year deal worth between $15 and $20 million. The Pens seem to be fine with the years, but not at $5 million a season. Kris Letang needs a big raise from his current $625,000 salary, and looking for between $3 and $4 million.
- Joe Haggerty of CSNNE.com:
- It’s no secret that the Bruins are looking for scoring, but it probably won’t happen until closer to the deadline. They don’t expect anything in the upcoming weeks, the there is the 2 week Olympic shutdown. Until the Atlanta Trashers-Ilya Kovalchuk contract talks are resolved, you’ll read/hear the Bruins are a possible destination.
- Last season at the trade deadline, the Bruins and Blues were discussing Keith Tkachuk and David Perron for Phil Kessel.
Around the Boards: Players being shopped, coveted … Savard’s contact under investigation … Contract talks for some
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors, NHL Videos on December 6th, 2009
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun:
- In their search for scoring, the New York Rangers have set their sites on an injured player, Pavol Demitra, once he gets healthy. Demitra is still recovering from his second shoulder surgery, and could return after Christmas. Demitra is a UFA at the end of the season and brings a $4 million cap for this season.
- The League will be investigating Marc Savard’s 7 year extension, which isn’t much of a surprise after looking at his yearly salaries: $7 million, $7 million, $6 million, $5 million, $1.5 million, $525,000, $525,000.
- The Oilers have Sheldon Souray’s name out there, and he was offered to an Eastern Conference team in a 4-player deal.
- The Florida Panthers have been contact teams in an attempt to make a deal to improve their club, they need to make the playoffs this year.
- The Nashville Predators will look to locking up goaltender Pekka Rinne, but might have trade defenceman Dan Hamhuis at the deadline as the Predators might not be able to afford him.
- Aaron Ward of the Hurricanes has drawn interest from the Sharks, Senators and Blue Jackets. Teams are also calling about Ray Whitney, but Rutherford will give Whitney the choice as to where he’d like to go (if that team is interested).
- Vancouver Canucks defenceman, Shane O’Brien, is also being shopped around the league.
- CBC.ca Hockey Night in Canada: Hotstove Video
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN:
- Pittsburgh has done well in locking up many of their core players, but they could have some trouble this off-season with UFA Sergei Gonchar and RFA Kris Letang. The Pens think they might be able to bring both back, but it would have to be at a really friendly price, which might not happen for Gonchar. KHL teams might throw a large amount of money for the 35 year old.
- Contract talks between potential RFA Nicklas Backstrom and the Washington Capitals have gone well, and could be close to finalizing it. Talks with Alexander Semin have gone well, with the sides not talking since the start of the season. Semin is another player that will be in KHL rumors.
- Vincent Lecavalier’s future in Tampa could be up in the air. He has a yearly cap hit of $7.7 million (receiving $10 million season for the next 7 years), which will be extremely hard to move. 3 teams that LeBrun mentions that might have an interest are the Rangers, Kings and Canadiens.
- The Flyers and goalie Ray Emery can talk contract extension after January 1st, and there’s a chance that might happen.
Around the Boards: Injury News – Ovechkin, Dubinsky, Letang
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on November 9th, 2009
Q. You’re in good mood. Are you getting better?
OVECHKIN: I am better. But I will miss 4-5 weeks.
This was news to the Capitals who denied the report:
“The Washington Capitals dispute the validity of this report,” the team told ESPN.com’s Pierre LeBrun.
Around the Boards – Fri. Oct. 9th
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on October 9th, 2009
- The Chicago Blackhawks probably won’t be the only team with hard cap decisions to make during/after the season. 2 big pieces to the Pittsburgh Penguins blueline will be free agents after the season, Sergei Gonchar and Kris Letang. Gonchar is unrestricted, while Letang is restricted. Letang will be looking for a nice raise, and though Gonchar would like around the same money he’s making now, I don’t think he’d get, especially from Pittsburgh. I don’t see how it’s possible from the Pens to keep both players. Gonchar will most likely test the free agent market, unless he takes a huge pay cut to stay with the Pens.
- Sheldon Souray of the Edmonton Oilers appears to be out with a concussion after being tripped and driven into the boards by Jarome Iginla, and coach Pat Quinn was not impressed with. It would be a big blow to the Oilers if Souray is out for an extended period of time.
- Chris Chelios still doesn’t know when to hang up the skates and retire. He will begin practicing with the AHL Chicago Wolves, though he hasn’t signed with them yet. The 80 year old Dman hopes to sign on with an NHL team sometime this year.
- Cody Hodgson, who was initially thought of to be the 2nd line center for the Vancouver Canucks, since sent back the OHL’s Bramption Battalion, has been told to stay off skates for at least 3 weeks due to a partially herniated disc.
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