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Penguins' Unexpected 'Biggest Concern' Ahead of Next Season Revealed by Insider Josh Yohe
Kris Letang has been a star for Pittsburgh over so many seasons, but now, his future with the team has been labelled a major concern by a top Penguins insider.
The Pittsburgh Penguins big three has been incredibly successful over their time together in the NHL, with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang helping this team to a total of three Stanley Cup's since 2009.
However, all three are now coming to the end of their careers, and while Evgeni Malkin presents some personality issues for a new Head Coach, it's Kris Letang that may be the teams biggest concern moving forward according to Insider Josh Yohe.
Letang is probably the biggest concern. At least Malkin has only one year left on his contract. Letang has three, and his performance last season was troubling, to say the least. He was once a great player, but those days are gone. Like Malkin, Letang has a certain idea of how the game should be played. And like Malkin, Letang has struggled to adjust to what his body will let him do at this stage of his career. And like Malkin, Letang's influence in the dressing room is huge. If those two decide early on that they don't care for the new coach, there will be a problem.
Malkin and Letang aren't bad guys. Far from it. But they are also delicate to deal with and very much set in their ways. I'd put Karlsson in this category, too.
Malkin and Letang aren't bad guys. Far from it. But they are also delicate to deal with and very much set in their ways. I'd put Karlsson in this category, too.
That's not to say that Letang doesn't deserve respect however, as he has been one of the most important pieces in this Pittsburgh Penguins dynasty, tallying over 1,100 games as he has been the staple of this blue line for so long.
While Letang's 30 points represented a lack of production for the veteran, it was his -15 differential that shows the most concern for the Penguins, who now have three years remaining on Letang's current deal.
He could look to be traded elsewhere this off-season, but with a potential lack of interest around the league, the Penguins may simply need to find another star on the blue line to hid Letang, who will potentially continue to regress as he ages.
| POLL | ||
MAI 28 | 214 ANSWERS Penguins' Unexpected 'Biggest Concern' Ahead of Next Season Revealed by Insider Josh Yohe Will Kris Letang play out his contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins? | ||
| Yes | 145 | 67.8 % |
| No | 69 | 32.2 % |
| List of polls | ||