Kris Letang, Pittsburgh Penguins up to six years, $36.6 million extension

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed a veteran defender Chris Letang General Manager Ron Hextal announced Thursday that the six-year extension is worth $36.6 million.

Letang was a free, pending, unrestricted agent later this month. His new deal starts in 2022-23 and runs until 2027-28.

“Chris embodies what it means to be a Pittsburgh Penguin,” Hextal said in a statement. “The role he plays on our team is irreplaceable, he is a captain in our locker room and has made countless contributions to the organization over the past 15 years, which includes three Stanley Cup championships. We are delighted to make him a penguin for life.”

Letang, 35, has spent his entire career with the Penguins in a prominent role among the top four. Drafted by Pittsburgh in the third round, ranked 62nd overall, in the 2005 NHL entry draft, he now leads all franchise defenders in most games (941), scoring goals (144), assists (506) and points (650).

Letang is also a three-time Cup winner with Pittsburgh, taking titles in 2009, 2016 and 2017. His post-season totals — 149 games, 23 goals, 67 assists, and 95 points — are more than ever by a Penguin defender.

Getting Letang into a relatively friendly deal for the team is good business for him and the Penguins. Pittsburgh has limited roof space to address a few major dealerships – including the center Yevgeny Malkin – He offered Letang a long-term deal that compensated his salary potentially lower than what he could have earned on the open market.

In addition to two owners, penguins also have Ricard Raquel And the Evan Rodriguez Checkout at a free agency this month. Goalkeeper start Tristan Garry His deal’s final season is also entering, which makes it even more important for Hextall to be judicious now with the space he has to work with.