NHL Rumors: Penguins Becoming Concerned About Kris Letang
The Pittsburgh Penguins have turned blowing leads into a weekly horror show, and when the third period collapses start stacking up, fans always go hunting for a face to put it on.
The Athletic's Josh Yohe’s reporting makes it clear this isn’t just noise outside the room either. There’s real concern inside the organization about Letang’s play, and the scary part is that the usual escape hatches are basically sealed shut.
Kris Letang struggles have the Pittsburgh Penguins concerned
Yohe’s point is that the occasional mental lapse has always been part of the Kris Letang package, even back when he was in his prime. The difference now is the athletic cover isn’t there the way it used to be, and those mistakes are no longer getting erased by a recovery burst or a 25 minute night where he still drives the game.
Kris Letang, overtime hero 🙏 pic.twitter.com/nrTIvd8HKe
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) November 29, 2025
After an ugly October, he steadied things a bit in November, but the dip has returned, and it’s landing at the worst possible time with the Penguins repeatedly coughing up multi goal leads at home. The frustration inside the team, according to Yohe, is that Letang has not simplified his approach, and he keeps taking chances that leave the back end exposed.
That becomes even louder when the entire group is already playing tight and trying not to make the next mistake.
Why a Kris Letang trade or buyout isn’t happening
This is where the situation gets sticky, because even if some fans want a dramatic fix, the math does not cooperate. Letang has a full no movement clause, and between his age, his health history, and the term and money left on his deal, there is no realistic market for a trade.
A buyout does not solve it either, because the contract structure and his age at signing mean there is no cap relief waiting on the other side, making it a pain with none of the benefit. Retirement also is not a clean answer, because Yohe reported team sources believe Letang wants to keep playing beyond this contract, and walking away would mean leaving a lot of money on the table.
When you put that together, the Penguins are basically left with one practical plan: manage the minutes, manage the matchups, and hope the player finds a way to adjust before the season slips away.
Kris Letang just loves the game 🙌 pic.twitter.com/kJ8RxjetmE
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 22, 2025
Pittsburgh is not swimming in right side options behind Erik Karlsson and Letang, and the organization has already had internal conversations about reducing Letang’s workload, which could still happen if the mistakes keep piling up.
But dialing him back is not as simple as sending him to the third pair and calling it a day, especially if the team is trying to remain competitive in the standings. The Penguins are stuck threading a needle where they need Letang to be steadier without asking him to be something he hasn’t been for most of his career.
If the collapses continue, this turns from a bad stretch into an identity problem, and the longer it lasts, the harder it will be to pretend it’s just a slump.
Photo Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
