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Kris Letang Could Be the Key to a Potential Sidney Crosby Trade to the Canadiens
Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Many dream of seeing Sidney Crosby land with the Montreal Canadiens and become the team's second-line center. The truth is, the only person who holds the fate of #87 is Sid himself.
For now, it seems his plan is to finish his career wearing the Pittsburgh Penguins uniform.
However, a change of heart isn't out of the question, as Crosby could very well decide to leave the Steel City and request a trade.
If that happens, as we mentioned in a recent article, Kent Hughes will be ready!
"If Sidney Crosby ever decides he's ready to leave Pittsburgh and Montreal is one of the destinations on his list, I know Kent Hughes would be ready to make an offer.
I think Canadiens management has already thought this through and knows what they'd be willing to offer."
- Alexandre Gascon
I think Canadiens management has already thought this through and knows what they'd be willing to offer."
- Alexandre Gascon
How Can the Montreal Canadiens Acquire Sidney Crosby at a Lower Cost?
Let's be honest-acquiring #87 will be expensive, even if Crosby himself wants to play for the Canadiens.
Kyle Dubas will absolutely want to get full value for such a prized asset, and he'll demand a lot from his counterpart.
There will be no freebies-Kent Hughes will have to give up major pieces if he wants to bring in Crosby.
However, I believe there's a way to soften the blow.
Why not relieve Dubas and the Penguins of a bad contract?
The first deal that comes to mind is, without hesitation, Kristopher Letang's.
At $6.1 million per year for three more seasons, offloading the 38-year-old veteran defenseman could be a huge relief for the Penguins.
In the salary cap era, taking on a heavy contract comes with a price-and Kent Hughes has already shown he's willing to do that, as he did with Sean Monahan.
He could very well do it again with the Penguins by taking in the Quebec-born defenseman.
There's also a strong connection between Hughes and Letang, as the Canadiens GM used to be Letang's agent.
Plenty of rumors in recent years suggested that Letang could've helped the Canadiens' defensive unit.
Yes, it would still require giving up strong assets, but I believe taking on Letang's contract is a smart move.
It would add another right-handed defenseman to the roster, but imagine a right side with Noah Dobson, Alexandre Carrier, and Kris Letang-very enticing, especially if Sidney Crosby is lining up next to Ivan Demidov.
The Habs could also offer to take on Erik Karlsson's contract, but that deal is far less attractive.
Not only because of his $10 million cap hit for two more years, but also because of his recent play on the ice.
In my opinion, Letang still has more good hockey left in him than Karlsson.
And he's from the area. What more could you ask for?
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 12 | 2653 ANSWERS Kris Letang Could Be the Key to a Potential Sidney Crosby Trade to the Canadiens Would you take on Kristopher Letang's contract if it made a trade for Sidney Crosby easier? | ||
| Yes | 1472 | 55.5 % |
| No | 1181 | 44.5 % |
| List of polls | ||