This is really going to tick off the female fan base. Those ladies and girls that just kind of go to the Consol Energy Center because it’s the cool place to be seen, and because they think Kris Letang is “hot.” But Kris Letang is indeed the anchor of the Penguins defense. And in anchor, I mean he brings the team down.
Is it any coincidence that the Penguins have lost two in a row since Letang’s return? No, it’s not all his fault, but the defense seemed to have a more simple approach without him in the lineup, a lineup that was 7-2 before his return. You could argue his “roving” and being out of place has thrown everyone else off. If you’ve been in the league since 2006-07, you would think you would see improvement each year. But, the guy we’ve been seeing over the years is who he is; talented but not quick on his head foot, so to speak. Letang makes costly turnovers, is indecisive with the puck, both shooting and passing and tries to get in the mix too much offensively.
It seems as if Dan Byslma and the coaching staff just let Letang do whatever he wants on the ice because of his talent, but being quick and occasionally an offensive minded defenseman will do the team no good when he gives up scoring chances for the other team at a rate equal to the ones he gives the opponents. It makes you wonder if former head coach Michel Therrien was still around, maybe a more structured approach for Letang would be in place and possibly his all over the ice, undisciplined style would be curtailed.
After yet another playoff disappointment this past spring, many Penguins fans thought it was maybe time for Letang to go, to maybe see what could be had for him while he still had a year left on his contract. But instead, general manager Ray Shero gave Letang an eight-year, $58 million contract extension, good for $7.25 million a year. Trust me, this contract is going to be an albatross around the Pens neck. Shero has forgot more about hockey than I know, but this is a move that could cost him down the road, and maybe not the too far distant road.
I really don’t have a personal grudge against Letang, but I would be lying if I said I thought he was an elite player. The fact that he was a Norris Trophy candidate last year was a complete joke. Letang should have been traded last off season, the more he plays, the less value he has, especially with his now lofty salary. You can’t have someone who has consistent brain farts quarterbacking your power play, you just can’t. This team has talent, yes, but if you are willing to look at yourself in the mirror, you know deep down they are overrated. The playoff record from 2010 on will tell you that much. And Letang is part of that playoff failure problem, from his undisciplined series vs. Philly in 2012 to looking over matched vs. Boston in 2013.
Oh, and let’s not forget, the guy is hurt almost every month of the season. The Penguins are becoming the perfect example of insanity, doing the same thing every year and expecting the same (Stanley Cup) results. It’s time to try to move some key pieces, because the status quo isn’t cutting it. Yes, that means you too Mr. Malkin, that’s a whole ‘nother conversation to be had at a different time, but this core group needs shaken up, starting with the often injured, reckless and wild Kris Letang.
