Kris Letang Showed Interest in a Trade to the Canadiens
There were discussions this summer about Kris Letang possibly being traded to the Montreal Canadiens, but for now, the Penguins’ defenseman remains in Pittsburgh. According to NHL insider Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLive, the Pittsburgh Penguins explored the idea of trading Letang, potentially at his own request, but the talks didn’t lead to a deal.
Letang, who played a crucial role in the Penguins’ three Stanley Cup victories, is currently in the third year of his $36.6 million contract. His high salary makes him a challenging addition for most teams, though the Canadiens have the cap space to consider it. Letang, a Montreal native, has thought about finishing his career in his hometown, especially with the Penguins struggling and missing the playoffs last season, which may have prompted him to contemplate a move.
Madden reported that conversations between Pittsburgh and Montreal did occur, but it’s unclear how far they progressed. Ultimately, the trade did not happen, and Montreal shifted its offseason focus to locking down its young talent, like Kaiden Guhle, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Arber Xhekaj, with multi-year contracts. This shift in focus might have played a role in their decision not to pursue a veteran like Letang.
Could Trade Talks for Letang Resurface?
Given Letang’s apparent interest in returning to Montreal and the Penguins’ uncertain playoff prospects, his future in Pittsburgh remains a storyline to watch. Letang is still a vital part of Pittsburgh’s defense, but if the team struggles again in the 2024-25 season, the possibility of a trade to Montreal could reemerge.
The Penguins are set to start their season on October 9th, 2024, against the Canadiens, adding another layer of intrigue to this situation. While Letang remains with the Penguins for now, his past connections with the Canadiens and the ongoing trade rumors suggest that his future could still involve a return to Montreal if Pittsburgh’s performance doesn’t improve.
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