Western Conference Powerhouse Lands Penguins Superstar Defenseman Kris Letang In Blockbuster Trade Proposal That Would Make Them The Stanley Cup Favorites
If the Pittsburgh Penguins accept the inevitable and begin a rebuild in the near future, blueliner Kris Letang will certainly hit the trade block.
Kris Letang and the Penguins have gone 7-2-1 over their last 10 games to climb back into the playoff picture. But with a -23 goal differential, it’s obvious that the ageing “big three” of Letang, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin aren’t enough to keep this team in contention.
Should GM Kyle Dubas begin a rebuild, Letang should be the first player to hit the trade block. Crosby and/or Malkin may wish to be Penguins for life, but Dubas can still sell off other veteran assets and rebuild around his two franchise stars.
Per PuckPedia, Letang is signed through the 2027-28 season with a $6.1 million cap hit. While most Stanley Cup contenders are up against the cap, the Central Division-leading Winnipeg Jets are in a position to make a move for the three-time Stanley Cup champion.
What Jets Should Offer Penguins For Kris Letang
Letang is a household name, but the Pens can’t expect the biggest return for a 37-year-old with a hefty contract on his hands. Still, it’s better to trade Letang while he’s still playing like a top-four blueliner than to wait until his production declines.
So a fair trade would look like this: Letang to Winnipeg in exchange for forward Alex Iafallo, promising forward prospect Colby Barlow, a 2025 first-round pick and a 2026 third-round pick.
