Analyzing The Future Of Pittsburgh’s Defense Following Kris Letang’s Contract Extension

SBN’s Penguins blog, Pensburgh, has a fantastic rundown of the future of the Pittsburgh blue line in the aftermath of the Kris Letang signing. The four-year, $14 million contract likely spells the end of veteran defenseman Sergei Gonchar’s time in the Steel City.

Click over to Pensburgh to read the rest, discuss the team and the future of the defense with other Pens fans.

Kris Letang’s four-year contract extension is more than just a pay day for an exciting young shutdown defenseman. According to Mike Chen at SBN’s From The Rink, Letang’s deal is just further proof that the philosophy has changed with regards to how and when hockey players get their big pay day.

Kris Letang’s four-year, $14 million contract has deep ramifications on the Pittsburgh Penguins, of course, in this salary cap world. Letang is young, he’s good and now he’s been paid. SB Nation’s Penguins blog, Pensburgh, reacted to the contract extension.

Some people are speculating that Letang’s contract signing essentially spells the end of Gonchar’s time in Pittsburgh. Adam Gretz at FanHouse is one of those people, saying Tuesday afternoon that the Pens will have about “$12 million and $15 million in cap space for next season to fill six roster spots” and that “Gonchar, based on his current deal and still-solid production, would require at least $5 million of that available cap space.”