Pens Sign Letang for Four Years

-The Pittsburgh Penguins signed D Kris Letang to a four year, $14 million extension. He will have a cap hit of $3.5 million per year until the 2013-2014 season. Letang, a third round pick in 2005, has 10 goals and 23 assists this season. The Penguins made it known that signing Letang was one of their top priorities. The 22 year old defenseman was scheduled to become a restricted free agent after the playoffs. He likely could have gotten more money in the free agent market. With Letang under contract next season, Pittsburgh has $44.5 million committed to 14 players already. GM Ray Shero said that this signing will not affect D Sergei Gonchar chances of staying with the team beyond this season. They will likely reopen negotiations after the season is over. Gonchar is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st.

-Sergei Gonchar and Evgeni Malkin skated today and it looks like Gonchar will be back in the lineup tomorrow against Tampa Bay. Malkin will likely be held out until the weekend. He did look better according to sources.