The rumor is that Letang’s agent is looking for quite a raise…. That might cause a problem down the line, if they indeed resign Gonchar to an extension…..

Posted by Tony from Virginia Beach, VA on 01/07/10 at 09:06 AM ET

I’ll be really interested to see what happens with both guys.  I think the progress of each of these negotiations will have a lot of sway in determining what Shero decides to do at the deadline.

The initial rumors at the start of the season seemed to suggest that Letang’s agent was looking at about $4M per year, but they also admitted that they were very open to negotiations.  As a restricted free agent, they really don’t have a lot of leverage, but they do have some.  Pens can’t really lowball him because Letang’s agent could respond by simply holding out for an offer sheet, and there are certainly teams who would offer him more than they know the Pens would be willing to match.

Gonch is trickier.  For the last three years, he’s been just as steady defensively as he’s been offensively.  I really think he’s been one of the top overall defensemen in the league, and he’s done it relatively quietly.  What worries me is his age.  I think he’s got three good years left, but as we’re kind of seeing with Nik Lidstrom this year, at some point it really catches up with you.

I have a feeling they offer Gonch something in the range of four years, $12-14 million, which would get his cap number down to that $3 million to $3.5 million range, but they front-load the first couple of years using that cap loophole.

Letang, I think, could get something in the range of five years, $15 million.  Maybe they structure the actual salary payments to give him a little more money up front as well.  That gives him security both in terms of money and term, and it seems like Tanger is the type of player who would benefit from that.  I think part of the reason he’s struggling this year is that he’s pressing because of the contract.

Posted by Stoosh from Pittsburgh, PA on 01/07/10 at 10:39 AM ET

I agree Stoosh, I think Letang would be a prime candidate for another team to highball, forcing the Pens to “overpay”.....

If they sign both, the problem could snowball with so many UFA’s, some of which I’m sure GMRS may want to re-sign, like McKee or Eaton or Cooke….

On the flipside, you’re right in that the trade deadline will be very interesting for the Pens, as it always is….

Posted by Tony from Virginia Beach, VA on 01/07/10 at 10:48 AM ET

Gonch is trickier.  For the last three years, he’s been just as steady defensively as he’s been offensively.  I really think he’s been one of the top overall defensemen in the league, and he’s done it relatively quietly.  What worries me is his age.  I think he’s got three good years left, but as we’re kind of seeing with Nik Lidstrom this year, at some point it really catches up with you.

I won’t comment on Letang because I don’t know enough to say if he’s worth $4 million.  My gut says no, but it says that about a lot of player salaries (especially those in Tampa Bay).

For Gonchar, he basically deserves any penny he wants.  The age catchup argument is valid, but the Nick Lidstrom comparison is a little flawed.  Last year, he had elbow problems (which absolutely can be attributed to age-related decline).  I still believe that the only reason Lidstrom didn’t win the Norris last season is because he failed to live up to his own legend.  I still believe he was a better defenseman than either Zdeno Chara or Mike Green and he put up very impressive numbers. 

This year, there is no outward sign of injury, although some say that his elbow is still a concern.  Rather, this year, the rest of the team’s injuries have caught up to Lidstrom.  As a result of missing so much offensive talent (c’mon, Abdelkader, Miller, and Eaves as our second line/PP unit?), the Red Wings have had to completely switch their game around and Lidstrom has really had to anchor a defensive-minded turnaround.  I will concede that, even with the injury and change of gameplan excuses, Lidstrom’s one goal so far this season is glaring enough to say for sure that he is absolutely in an age-related decline.  I just don’t think it’s as severe as many make it out to be. 

Gonchar has had injury problems which get riskier to swallow as he ages.  Still, I think the veteran leadership and presence he brings to the Penguins’ blue line more than mediates the risk.  Shero is no dummy, he’ll keep Gonchar around as long as he’s willing to be there.  Besides, now the Penguins have an added benefit of being able to afford paying a guy’s salary while he’s on LTIR, since the cap hit is nullified and the franchise is enjoying competent ownership and management as well as fantastic television ratings and fan turnouts.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 01/07/10 at 10:56 AM ET

My feelings towards Letang have changed over the past year.  When gogo signed his deal this summer I thought that it would be an indication of what Letang would be in line for.  Looking at both players, they are very similar aside from Letang’s better hitting.

To me, Letang has not shown that he is worth 3-4 million a year.  I think that if the contract talks are in that direction, then Shero would best serve the team by trading him for some upfront help and bringing up a similar type defensmen in lovejoy.

The penguins have an embarrassment of talent when it comes to offensive defensemen.

Posted by gretzky_to_lemieux on 01/07/10 at 11:29 AM ET

I think anything more than 3.25-3.5 is too much for Letang right now unless it is a deal over 4 years.  You want $4 Mil Kris?  Sign for 5+ years, but then again, we saw what happened to Ryan Whitney.  In either case, Gonchar would have to take a hefty cut.  If you can get Gonchar for 2 more years in the 3 mil range that would be ideal.  I just have a feeling that if Shero offers 1 year, Gonch will want 2, and If Shero offers 2, he’ll want 3.  I can’t see Shero going more than 2 years especially if Gonchar retires his hit will still count against the cap.

Posted by Russian Rocket on 01/07/10 at 12:44 PM ET

Its no surprise seeing that a Detroit Red Wings fan understands the value of having a great number 1 defenseman. Thumbs up!
Most of us Pens fans simply don’t see or want to see how crucial Gonchar is to the team what with all the justified hype about the young stars. Last year lots happened when Gonchar returned from surgery and it was difficult to know how much was him, Bylsma or deadline deals. This season he has lost 16 games (unrelated injuries, which is positive) and Pens are 7-9-0 in those, leaking goals like a sieve. In fact, if you count goals against average for those games, it is the worst in the NHL. The 30 matches he has played? Well, 21-8-1, he has 26 points and the Pens defense is 5th/6th in the league in goals against over that span.

Sarge has to be retained. At least if we want to keep being a contender.
And no, that doesn’t mean offering him 3-3.5 million a year. He is underpaid and a steal now at 5. If he takes the same again we should be happy and jumping with joy if it’s 4.5.

Posted by Glen from China on 01/10/10 at 09:06 AM ET