In a recent episode of the Breakfast with Benz podcast, radio host Mark Madden dropped an interesting piece of information regarding the three-time Stanley Cup champion
In an episode of the Breakfast with Benz podcast released on Aug 5, radio host Mark Madden revealed information concerning three-time Stanley Cup champion and Pittsburgh Penguins alternate captain Kris Letang.
In the episode, Madden stated that he “heard there were discussions to try and bring Letang to Montreal at his request, but nothing came of it.”
Letang spent his adolescence growing up in the 514, eventually spending his junior years in the QMJHL with the Val d’Or Foreurs before being drafted 62nd overall by the Penguins in 2005. In 2023, photos were posted of the veteran NHLer skating with the Habs ahead of the 2023-24 season. He wore a red jersey to blend in with the other skaters, but he did rock Penguins gear everywhere else.
There are a few reasons why I don’t believe Kent Hughes would execute this trade. A trade for Letang would ultimately aggravate the preexisting logjam on the Habs blueline. Even if the front office was able to give up a defender for a defender, the Montreal native would require significant ice time that would have to be taken from the young core and prospects on the cusp of making the NHL.
Speaking of young talent, Hughes spoke candidly about trying to bring in a veteran scorer during the start of free agency but that nothing materialized. He said that the focus would be on developing the talent they already had in the system and not sacrifice growth by bringing in a player who would only suit up for a brief time.
At 37 years old, Letang fits into the latter. The front office recently signed Kayden Guhle to a six-year extension and re-signed both Justin Barron and Arber Xhekaj to new two-year contracts.
This shows that there is a significant commitment to the long-term of the Habs defensive core. With Logan Mailloux, Jayden Struble, David Reinbacher and Lane Hutson on their way to battle for cemented spots in the depth chart, a trade for Letang would do more harm than good.
