Penguins’ Kris Letang refutes shocking rumour ahead of 2024-25 season

Defenseman Kris Letang is focused on training camp and the start of the upcoming season, but he was also ready to refute offseason speculation that he asked for a trade from the Pittsburgh Penguins. He made sure to clear the air about the rumour that was put out there by radio host Mark Madden about his request to be moved to the Montreal Canadiens.

”I heard there were discussions to try to bring Letang to Montreal at Letang’s request, but nothing came of it,” Madden had said during the Breakfast with Benz podcast on Aug 5.

Letang: “People were talking about that?” he said while laughing Wednesday to Rob Rossi.

“They didn’t talk to me.”

The blue liner could only laugh it off, but also made sure to deny the speculation. Asked directly if he requested a trade, Letang replied:

“No, I did not.”

Letang grew up in Montreal before spending his junior years in the QMJHL with the Val d’Or Foreurs. He was then selected 62nd overall by the Penguins in 2005, and has played for the one franchise since.

The rumours surfaced after a tough season for Letang, who was dealing with a finger injury and also the fact that Pittsburgh missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year. While Letang was frustrated, it has only become motivation to do better in 2024-25.

“I mean, everybody was, right?” Letang said. “If you left the rink with a big smile on your face, in my mind you’re in the wrong place to be.”

“So, uh, it is what it is. We made some changes. It was frustrating for everybody that it didn’t glue together all year. At the end of the day, we were 24 hours from a playoff spot and we missed the window, so … yes, I was frustrated. When you put commitment into something you get frustrated about it.”

Madden’s speculation was also hard to believe because of the Canadiens and their current rebuilding with top defensemen like Logan Mailloux , Jayden Struble , David Reinbacher and Lane Hutson on their way to battle for cemented spots. A 37-year-old Letang, who carries an annual cap hit of $6.1 million through 2027-28, does not fit GM Kent Hughes’ plans.

Letang is only focused on what’s taking place in Pittsburgh and what the core of he, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin can do for the next seasons as he looks to work hard for the Penguins to get back in the playoff picture.

“Every year is going to be different. In the NHL, we always say, ‘A two-week window can change a lot of things for an organization.’

That’s why Letang is now fully focused on training camp and getting ready for the season, and then, it will be time to get back to playing hard and collect points, and forget about rumors that he refuses to entertain.