Rumor: Kris Letang in his final season with the Penguins.

There have been a lot of questions surrounding the big 3 members of the Pittsburgh Penguins core as we head deeper and deeper into this National Hockey League regular season, and for good reason. In spite of the fact that both star forward Evgeni Malkin and star defenseman Kris Letang are in the final years of their current contracts, neither has signed an extension with the Pittsburgh Penguins in spite of the fact that they are eligible to do so should they so choose.

This has led to plenty of speculation about where they could end up next, and recently a French Canadian journalist expressed his belief that Letang is likely coming back home to Quebec. That journalist is La Presse's Mathias Brunet and during a recent radio interview he was rather emphatic about the fact that he believes Letang is playing out his final days as a Penguin.

"I would be shocked if Kristopher Letang does not play with the Canadiens next year," said Brunet as per Habsolument Fan. "He has yet to sign in Pittsburgh, he could have done so. I believe that he is coming to Montreal. That is my personal feeling. Letang said 'If I don't sign in Pittsburgh you know where I am going'. Does he have a good enough relationship with Kent Hughes to tell himself, we sign for 2 years and don't worry if you're still good in 2 years we will re-sign you."

It is that connection to current Montreal Canadiens general manager that gives this rumor the most legs. Prior to becoming general manager of the Canadiens, Hughes famously worked as an NHL agent representing several high profile clients in the league. His list of clients included the likes of Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron, Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse, and of course the aforementioned Kris Letang himself.

Combine that with the fact that the 34 year old Letang is a native of Montreal, Quebec and it's not hard to see why some are now connecting him to the Montreal Canadiens.

Whether or not Letang will sign with the Canadiens however, a franchise that arguably iced the worst team in the league this season, remains to be seen.