Shero Talks Letang, Dupuis & More
NEWARK, New Jersey – The Penguins and defenseman Kris Letang have made progress in discussions on a contract extension, but still have some work to do.
“It’s simpler enough to say we’re just not done yet,” Penguins general manager Ray Shero said at the NHL Draft in New Jersey. “Still working on it with his agent. We haven’t had time to get together today with the draft. I’ll talk to him a little later (Monday) and try to work through a couple of things and get back at it.”
Letang, 26, has one-year remaining on his current contract valued at $3.5 million. The Norris Trophy nominee as best defenseman in the NHL will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the upcoming season, and the Penguins have made no secret of their desire to lock him up long term.
“He’s a real good defenseman for us. He’s at the right age. I hope that’s going to be the case,” Shero said of an extension.
Shero wouldn’t divulge any details on what aspects of the contract need to be worked on because the negotiations are still ongoing.
“I had a meeting with (Letang’s) agent (Saturday) afternoon and later that night when we chatted again it turned more positive,” Shero said. “This morning we were trying to wrap a few things up, but we’re still not there yet. We just took a little break. We’ll get back at it and see if we can close the gaps here and there and see where we are.
“It usually comes down to the money and the term. There are things we still need to work on. We’ll see where it takes us.”
