Penguins' GM Ron Hextall announced that the Pens have finalized an agreement for a six-year contract extension for defenseman, Kris Letang.
The contract will run through the 2027-28 season and carries an average annual value of $6.1 million.
See the full press release for more information!
PRESS RELEASE
Penguins Agree to Terms with Defenseman Kris Letang on a Six-Year Contract Extension
The Pittsburgh Penguins have agreed to terms with defenseman Kris Letang on a six-year, $36.6 million contract extension, it was announced today by general manager Ron Hextall.
The contract begins in the 2022-23 season and runs through the 2027-28 campaign and carries an average annual value of $6.1 million.
“Kris epitomizes what it means to be a Pittsburgh Penguin,” said Hextall. “The role he plays on our team is irreplaceable, he is a leader in our locker room, and has made countless contributions to the organization over the last 15-plus years, which includes three Stanley Cup Championships. We are thrilled to make him a Penguin for life.”
Letang, a three-time Stanley Cup Champion in 2009, ’16 and ’17, is the most accomplished defenseman in Penguins history, as he owns every single significant team record for a blueliner. Letang tops team annals among defensemen in games played (941), goals (144), assists (506) and points (650), as well as playoff games played (149), playoff goals (23), playoff assists (67) and playoff points (90).
The six-time NHL All Star ranks in the top-10 in Penguins history in games played (3rd), assists (5th), points (5th), power-play points (247, T-5th), overtime goals (8, 5th) and game-winning goals (29, 6th). Only teammates Sidney Crosby (1,108) and Evgeni Malkin (981) have played more games in a Penguins jersey than Letang.
The 6-foot, 201-pound defenseman has been a clutch playoff performer for the Penguins, as he scored the Stanley Cup-clinching goal in Game 6 of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final in San Jose. Only Crosby (180) and Malkin (177) have played more postseason games with Pittsburgh than Letang’s 149, while his 23 playoff goals (T-8th), 67 playoff assists (6th) and 90 playoff points (7th) all rank in the top-10 in franchise history. Among all active defensemen, Letang ranks first in career playoff goals (23), third in playoff points (90) and playoff assists (67).
Since entering the league in 2006-07, the 35-year old’s 650 points are the third-most among all defensemen. The 2013 Norris Trophy Finalist has hit the 50-point plateau six times in his career, the most among active defensemen (tied), as well as all blueliners in Penguins history.
The Montreal, QC native was drafted by the Penguins in the third round (62nd overall) of the 2005 NHL Draft. His 650 points are the most by any player chosen in the third round or later in his draft class.