Report: Kris Letang, Penguins progressing toward new deal

May 13, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (58) skates with the puck against the New York Rangers during the second period in game six of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG Paints Arena. Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Kris Letang, Penguins progressing toward deal worth 'around $7-$8 million per year'

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated Jul 2, 2022 7:38 PM ET

The Pittsburgh Penguins and defenseman Kris Letang are reportedly close to agreeing on a new contract.

According to the editor-in-chief of The Fourth Period, Dave Pagnotta, Letang and the Penguins have made progress on a new deal over the last 24 hours. A guest on 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh on Friday, Pagnotta added that the contract would pay Letang around $7-8 million yearly.

Excellent NHL insider @TheFourthPeriod says on @937theFan that the Penguins have made progress on Kris Letang's contract in last 24 hours. Money will be around $7-8 million per year.
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) July 1, 2022

NHL free agency opens on July 13, leaving the Penguins little time to negotiate with the 35-year-old before he hits the open market.

Josh Yohe of The Athletic reports that Letang is seeking a five-year deal worth "something north of $8 million per year annually, perhaps as high as $9 million."

According to Yohe, the Penguins have offered Letang a three-year contract.

Letang has played his entire 16-year NHL career with the Penguins, who drafted him in the third round (No. 62) of the 2005 NHL Draft.

Among the all-time leaders in Penguins' franchise history, Letang ranks third in games played (941), fifth in assists (506) and fifth in points (650).

Last season, Letang played 78 games, finishing with 68 points (10 goals, 58 assists).

A six-time All-Star, Letang has won two Stanley Cups with the Penguins in 2009 and 2016.

Mike Santa Barbara

Mike Santa Barbara is a Wilmington, Delaware native (Yes, it's a real place) with over a decade of sports writing experience. A diehard Philadelphia sports fan, he has two dogs named after Flyers and cried real tears when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII. You can follow him on Twitter at @mike__sb

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