Letang turns down $7m per year/8 years

[wr50l]

Pierre Lebrun is reporting the details on twitter. Says Letang turned down $56m over 8 years. His camp countered with an asking price of of $7.5-8m per year, declined.

First of all, anyone who pays him more than $7m is an idiot. Secondly, which is the team most likely to do it in the end up? Everyone who doesn't have one wants a puck-moving d.

Trade wheels are turning ...

[dave]

Pierre Lebrun is reporting the details on twitter. Says Letang turned down $56m over 8 years. His camp countered with an asking price of of $7.5-8m per year, declined.

First of all, anyone who pays him more than $7m is an idiot. Secondly, which is the team most likely to do it in the end up? Everyone who doesn't have one wants a puck-moving d.

Trade wheels are turning ...

He turned that down???

Really?

If Pittsburgh offered him that, he accepts immediately.

I doubt that was ever offered.

[Ravin]

I have come to the realization that he is not going to be with the team next season most likely. He wants Crosby/Malkin money and they don't have it, and honestly, he shouldn't get it. Yes, he is one of the top defence in the league, but not $7.5m worthy. Chara makes under seven, Karlsson makes $6.5, and they have won Norris trophies, not just been nominated.

This kind of shows a players colours and how much money means to them. They offer $7, he wants $7.5, and will walk away from a team with the two best players in the league on it for 500K?

Lucky for us, we have a ton of depth in the prospect pool for defence, so while this will sting, he can be replaced later on.

[wr50l]

He turned that down???

Really?

If Pittsburgh offered him that, he accepts immediately.

I doubt that was ever offered.

Lebrun reported it; it is now being carried by the major outlets. Unlikely that Lebrun would just pull it out of thin air because he is a known and respected insider not some basement blogger like Eklund.

I agree Letang should accept this deal. $7m is probably being generous; it is certainly no hometown discount which is odd because Letang's crazy inflated status and his ability to get Norris consideration is largely down to the skill of his teammates, and he should really think about how easy it would be to flame out on a team where his defensive positioning is exposed further and he doesn't get a bunch of free assists from 71 and 87.

[dave]

If Pittsburgh offered Letang that deal, he's insane to turn it down. I doubt, given their salary cap status, Pittsburgh offered that deal.

[Boss AZ]

Letang is insane to turn that down.

I don't get it.

[Xixak]

I don't believe that, who's gonna pay him more than that? I'm surprised Pitt even threw that much at him.

[Ravin]

Letang is reportedly staying with the team and signed a deal.

It appears Kris Letang is staying with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

According to RDS, the Penguins have agreed to terms with Letang on an eight-year, $58 million contract with an annual annual value of $7.25 million and a limited no-trade clause to 15 teams.

According to TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.com, the deal is not officially done yet as Letang's agent and Penguins GM Ray Shero have to meet at Sunday's NHL Draft to iron out the details.

Letang has one year left on his current contract that will pay him $3.5 million with an identical cap hit.

Letang was selected in the third round, 62nd overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft and spent the first six seasons of his career with the franchise.

In 385 NHL games, Letang has contributed 44 goals and 165 assists for a 209 career point total.

He also captured the Stanley Cup as a member of the Penguins during the 2008-09 season and went to the Final as a member of the team the previous season.

The Montreal native was a finalist for the Norris Trophy this past season.

So he wanted that extra .25.