Most of us can agree that Letang's ceiling, skill level is a top 5 even strength D man in the league. Given health concerns, big contract, lack of PP QB abilities...he gets criticized often and usually rightfully so. But when he is dialed in, few are better.

And really..that's the problem...he isn't consistent with his god-given talent.

Played under the winningest coach in pens history. Everybody calling you out on it is right.

PS

Norris nominee under Dan.
- ChrisMS

sir, i've got some news that i think you should be aware of.

there is no parallel between how many games dan bylsma won in the regular season to how he treated Kris Letang and how that effected him as a player. im sorry. they have nothing to do with each other.

oh sweet a standings argument.
- Morris

what players are better than Letang on the Oilers. I'll give you Hall and even Eberle to an extent. but who else exactly?

sir, i've got some news that i think you should be aware of.

there is no parallel between how many games dan bylsma won in the regular season to how he treated Kris Letang and how that effected him as a player. im sorry. they have nothing to do with each other.
- SuperHenderson13

so letang succeeded despite dan? but his struggles are dans fault.

so letang succeeded despite dan? but his struggles are dans fault.
- ChrisMS

never said that.

letang was nominated in 2013 in a half season when major players like Doughty, Chara, etc. all had mediocre years for their standards.

and besides, letang gets a bad reputation largely from his playoff experiences... which, i know youre a dan bylsma believer, isnt really something dan bylsma is known too well for... especially in the last 5 years.

Letang has had success because of Bylsma's open system allowing offensive dmen like him to have big roles and also because of his talent.

Letang has had failure because of Bylsma's poor handling of young star players, mostly dmen, and because of his sometimes fragile attitude and his poor decision making.

what players are better than Letang on the Oilers. I'll give you Hall and even Eberle to an extent. but who else exactly?
- SuperHenderson13

probably just those two. A page ago you said no one though. Who knows what it'll be in a year or two's time

never said that.

letang was nominated in 2013 in a half season when major players like Doughty, Chara, etc. all had mediocre years for their standards.

and besides, letang gets a bad reputation largely from his playoff experiences... which, i know youre a dan bylsma believer, isnt really something dan bylsma is known too well for... especially in the last 5 years.
- SuperHenderson13

letang deserved that norris nomination and it had nothing to do with other players being subpar. he wasexcellent that year.... then the wheels fell off and injuries piled up. letangs last post season, after being paired up with martin, thank you mr. bylsma, was pretty good.

probably just those two. A page ago you said no one though. Who knows what it'll be in a year or two's time
- Morris

i know, pardon my ignorance.

hoping you guys get back to the top. seeing your city in 2006 was something special during that final run.

With the amount of top 3 picks Edmonton gets...I would hope so! If Edmonton can't at least make the playoffs this year, the hockey gods should move them to Louisiana or force that terrible ownership out.
- Glak18

Lack of depth at Center and no top pair D-man....Mac T knows this and is trying...but playoffs are highly unlikely.

This rumor is crazy on many fronts but look at it this way:

It would make sense for the Pens to free up cap space by trading a higher price tag player like Letang but looking at the insane contracts(Orpik & Nisky) received this season next year Letangs deal will look that much better.Subban coming to Pitt is not going to happen due to the fact he will want much more that what Letang currently makes..

If JR was really going to trade Letang it would have been easier to do so before July 1 when his limited movement kicked in...

Trading Martin or MAF is more likely both are UFA after this year and each make 5 mill now

And probably the easiest way to tell that this is just a rumor do you pay attention to Ecklunds rumor chart or his sourses??? They are both wrong about 95% to the time!!

This rumor is crazy on many fronts but look at it this way:

It would make sense for the Pens to free up cap space by trading a higher price tag player like Letang but looking at the insane contracts(Orpik & Nisky) received this season next year Letangs deal will look that much better.Subban coming to Pitt is not going to happen due to the fact he will want much more that what Letang currently makes..

If JR was really going to trade Letang it would have been easier to do so before July 1 when his limited movement kicked in...

Trading Martin or MAF is more likely both are UFA after this year and each make 5 mill now

And probably the easiest way to tell that this is just a rumor do you pay attention to Ecklunds rumor chart or his sourses??? They are both wrong about 95% to the time!!
- bobz87

Letang for Bourque, Gilbert and Beaulieu.

you realize Gallagher is a 3rd liner right? 19 goals and 41 points were career highs.
Letang was a Norris trophy finalist 2 seasons ago. You expect Letang + + for Gallagher haha thats typical of a habs fan. I'm sure some combination of Plekanec/Eller/Desharnais + a 2nd will get it done
- GardinerExpress

Lord knows what it would take. How many people predicted Sam Gagner for a and Crombeen together for a 5th round pick. The trades this off season have been a little whacky.

Maybe Pittsburgh literally just wants to dump him but given how they lost Orpik and Niskanen then you would have to think that a D is what they want. makes no sense to grab a center at all given how their top 3 are penciled in. If Letang is dealt they will want D in return.

This rumor is crazy on many fronts but look at it this way:

It would make sense for the Pens to free up cap space by trading a higher price tag player like Letang but looking at the insane contracts(Orpik & Nisky) received this season next year Letangs deal will look that much better.Subban coming to Pitt is not going to happen due to the fact he will want much more that what Letang currently makes..

If JR was really going to trade Letang it would have been easier to do so before July 1 when his limited movement kicked in...

Trading Martin or MAF is more likely both are UFA after this year and each make 5 mill now

And probably the easiest way to tell that this is just a rumor do you pay attention to Ecklunds rumor chart or his sourses??? They are both wrong about 95% to the time!!
- bobz87

Not to mention that 0 Habs rumours have come true in years.

Eklund: Canadiens and Penguins in Talks Regarding Letang
- Eklund

I'm starting a blog where everyone can get up to date scoops on hockey insider info from my plethora of "sources". It'll be at www.imfullofsh!t.com

Letang for Bourque, Gilbert and Beaulieu.
- soad_live

so a cap dump, prospect, and a guy they signed 13 days ago as a UFA?

Letang for Bourque, Gilbert and Beaulieu.
- soad_live

How is that a good trade for Pitt unless it's a salary dump only. Yes the trade would start with Beaulieu and Pitt would ask for Eller.

How is that a good trade for Pitt unless it's a salary dump only. Yes the trade would start with Beaulieu and Pitt would ask for Eller.
- Champ

Gallagher, Beaulieu, 1st

Gallagher, Beaulieu, 1st
- GardinerExpress

Thing is Bergevin would not to that. Again, we all know that this trade will not happen. That being said, I would focus on Kane.

Nope.
- Jeropotato

He would be the modern version of Paul Coffee. You have nothing on your team even remotely close to his talent on D.

Gallagher, Beaulieu, 1st
- GardinerExpress

MB will not trade those kid !!! for a guy always injured....

u said gallagher is a 3rd liner because of is stats...19 goal 41 points high...

oh yeah it'S true the kid play 12 years in NHL and reach is potential... TYPICAL OF A LEAF FAN !!!!!

Nahh he only have one season 48 games (rookie season) and this year.... pretty good for a start... and who care if the kid not bring 40 goal each year... hockey is not just STATS my friend.... what he bring on the ice as a bigg VALUE !!! always in front of the blue paint, win battle in corner.... the kid got HEARTTTT !!!!

it's a no brainer that MB will trade him ...if you believe that, well your a DONKEY !

No. Dion is better.
- RogerRoeper

Taylor Hall. 30 GM's would not trade Hall for Letang.
- Jeropotato

Hall is a defenseman? WOW, he's versatile.

MB will not trade those kid !!! for a guy always injured....

u said gallagher is a 3rd liner because of is stats...19 goal 41 points high...

oh yeah it'S true the kid play 12 years in NHL and reach is potential... TYPICAL OF A LEAF FAN !!!!!

Nahh he only have one season 48 games (rookie season) and this year.... pretty good for a start... and who care if the kid not bring 40 goal each year... hockey is not just STATS my friend.... what he bring on the ice as a bigg VALUE !!! always in front of the blue paint, win battle in corner.... the kid got HEARTTTT !!!!

it's a no brainer that MB will trade him ...if you believe that, well your a DONKEY !
- Zo0by

On a Stanley Cup contending team, Gallagher is a 3rd liner. He is an all heart energy guy. Every coach wants a guy like him on his team.

Letang is not as good as you think..
- OilerFan16

Yeah, you're right. He's better than you think.

He's a fan of the Penguins and he will fight (angrily it appears) tooth and nail until we,the world, ordain all Penguins players as the best in their craft.
Ltang may be better than all Oilers defenders, but no way is he a better hockey player, or more valuable to any team as Taylor Hall....and within 3-5 years there will probably be another 4 or 5 players to add to list.
- Jeropotato

So you guys plan on tanking a few more years?