Kris Letang, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ veteran defenseman, has put an end to rumors that he requested a trade during the offseason. Speaking at the Penguins’ training camp on September 18, Letang dismissed the speculation with a laugh. “People were talking about that?” he asked incredulously. “They didn’t talk to me.” When directly questioned about a trade request, Letang firmly denied it, saying, “No, I did not.”
These rumors had gained traction on sports talk radio and among fans, with many speculating that Letang, frustrated by the Penguins missing the playoffs for a second straight year, might be looking for a fresh start elsewhere. While the 36-year-old star admitted feeling disappointed at the end of last season, he was quick to emphasize that the frustration was shared by the entire team. “I mean, everybody was [frustrated], 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.”
Letang also addressed concerns about his role on the team, specifically his position on the top power play unit. He referred to the long-term deal he signed in 2022, noting, “The decision made a few years ago when I signed the deal is made. Every year is going to be different.” Despite the challenges, Letang remains focused on moving forward, adding, “In the NHL, we always say, ‘A two-week window can change a lot of things for an organization.'”
The defenseman, who played all 82 games last season and recorded 51 points, dismissed the trade rumors as a non-issue. Reflecting on the Penguins’ narrow miss of the playoffs, Letang said, “At the end of the day, we were 24 hours from a playoff spot, and we missed the window.” For Letang, the focus remains on pushing the team to success in the upcoming season.
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