RD Kris Letang (2005, 62nd overall, Pittsburgh)

[Little Nilan]

Uh, the only "talk" of Letang on the 1st PP I saw was intended to spread the wealth between the 1st and 2nd unit. That way our 2nd unit points wouldn't be Orpik and Scuderi. But what do pens fans know about the pens ....

What's the current first unit for the Pens? I'm asking this because I know the Leafs and Habs(last year), both with very good powerplays, basically have 1 unit they send out for almost the whole 2 mins. The 2nd pairing defensemen don't really rack up points when that happens. Just curious because that's what I thought the Pens did.

Orpik on a PP is not good though.

 

[Jeff Goldblum]

What's the current first unit for the Pens?

Gonchar and Whitney.

 

[massivegoonery]

I think Letang is on the path to be another bust, like Cam Barker

 

[HOCKEY_GURU]

I havent heard much mention of this (even on the Pens board), but Goligoski had 3 points for the baby Pens the other night, perhaps the pens management has him in their plans as a call up, would have been interesting if Goligoski wasnt injured and started camp early.

 

[davemess]

Just my opinion but i think the Pens went with need over anything else for that 6th Dman spot...... we needed a PK guy in that role rather than another PP guy and that more than anything sealed Letangs departure to the AHL to start the year.

 

[Debrincat93]

Wow, really...where have I been?


I will give you that he was somewhat expected to get a spot on the team, but not one time did I read any Pens fans claiming that he would be in the top pairing. And taking Whitney's spot.....again where that hell have I been??? Not 1 time did I read such nonsense. Maybe you might have got confused when some might have said that they expect him to EVENTUALLY take over the role on the PP.


I know I know, such a great time it is, you all get to blast away at the Pens fan base and feel mighty good about it. But most of all of you look like fools. Go no further than our own GM (Shero) and you will see as to why some fans felt Kris would make the big club from the start.

Either way this is good for his development, he will be back up here soon enough.

Yea i think rabid ranger is a little far off right now. There is just no way that a rookie, even with letangs stature would even be close to pushing a 9 pp goal, 24 pp assist guy who just started to break out and tap his potential last season. Letang would take over for gonchar when his contract is up in 2-3 years. Your not going to see Letang on the first pp unit over gonchar or whitney iness: 1. one is struggling bad or 2. one is hurt. If gonchar and whitney have years like they did last year, letang would be the top number 2 line pp qb, which i still dont understand why he didnt make it just off that alone, but who knows.

 

[Little Nilan]

Gonchar and Whitney.

Ah, I meant the 5 man unit, I knew those two were the quarterbacks. I'm wondering if Malkin and Crosby play together on the PP, or is the offense spread out.

Heh. You are just pissed because just about everything I have said has come to be. But ummm . . . .thanks? for the support.

Nah, you make good points, but there's nothing wrong with admitting when we're really biased about something.

 

[Pens1566]

Ah, I meant the 5 man unit, I knew those two were the quarterbacks. I'm wondering if Malkin and Crosby play together on the PP, or is the offense spread out.


Nah, you make good points, but there's nothing wrong with admitting when we're really biased about something.

Malkin - Sid - Rex
Gonchar - Whitney

There was some discussion on the pens board after we picked up Sykora of icing 2 PP units by taking Malkin and Whitney off the first and using them to anchor the 2nd. Something like:

Staal - Sid - Sykora
Gonch - Letang

Roberts - Malkin - EC/Rex
Whitney - Sydor

You get the point.

 

[Clarence Beeks]

But where's the Penguins hype machine on these boards going into overkill to quiet this post down? Last I heard he was going to QB the PP right away and be a top defenseman from the get go. Not to mention that he was an easy dark horse for the calder.

There was plenty of talk of Letang stepping in and being a top defenseman right away, even taking Whitney's spot on the top PP unit.

I'm very curious as to which Pens fans you heard this from. Please post a link to the thread where a Pens fan said this. Until you do so, I'm calling bull **** on both of you. There is not one Pens fan that thought (or said) Letang was going to be in the top pairing (even or PP), and there is not one Pens fan that thought (or said) that Letang would take Whitney's spot on the top PP unit. None. Zero.

 

[clefty]

Whats the big bloody deal?

 

[HABSMANIA21*]

wow thats all i gotta say i thought he would make it

 

[Chimaera]

I'm very curious as to which Pens fans you heard this from. Please post a link to the thread where a Pens fan said this. Until you do so, I'm calling bull **** on both of you. There is not one Pens fan that thought (or said) Letang was going to be in the top pairing (even or PP), and there is not one Pens fan that thought (or said) that Letang would take Whitney's spot on the top PP unit. None. Zero.

After about 15 minutes of sorting through uh, at least 300+ posts... here are a few of the many treasures.


http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=10311090&postcount=3

http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=9695057&postcount=63

http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=9695888&postcount=65

http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=9696366&postcount=66

Now, I admit that doctordark has a strange obsession with the guy... but man.

Oh, and this nice gem from the draft discussion that's probably the crown jewel.

http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=9647884&postcount=51

All I know that I've learned is, deal Whitney now because he is a chump and Letang can take over right away, and that Letang is going to be the next Coffey.


That's not to even consider counting the number of people who said that Letang was a serious Calder cup contender.


Look, I think he is a fine prospect. But I don't think he is the world beater some have acted like he is.

 

[SomeDude]

That's not to even consider counting the number of people who said that Letang was a serious Calder cup contender.

Well, being sent the the AHL drastically increases his chances of a Calder Cup.

 

[Clarence Beeks]

After about 15 minutes of sorting through uh, at least 300+ posts... here are a few of the many treasures.


http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=10311090&postcount=3

http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=9695057&postcount=63

http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=9695888&postcount=65

http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=9696366&postcount=66

Now, I admit that doctordark has a strange obsession with the guy... but man.

Oh, and this nice gem from the draft discussion that's probably the crown jewel.

http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=9647884&postcount=51

All I know that I've learned is, deal Whitney now because he is a chump and Letang can take over right away, and that Letang is going to be the next Coffey.


That's not to even consider counting the number of people who said that Letang was a serious Calder cup contender.


Look, I think he is a fine prospect. But I don't think he is the world beater some have acted like he is.

Not to belittle your search, but well, I'm going to belittle your seach. You offered up 5 posts. 3 were in fact made by Pens fans, but none of them say what you purport them to say (thus my original point). In fact, each of them says exactly the opposite; that Letang could NOT come in and take over for Whitney THIS YEAR. No where do they say that Letang could come in and take over for Whiteny THIS YEAR. Furthermore, the post by doctordark that you refer to is clearly talking about Letang's potential, not where he will be this year. The other two posts are clearly were not made by Pens fans (just do a simple search of other threads they've posted in). The fact of the matter is that you've still not shown me one post that said what you claimed. Therefore, I still call bull ****.

 

[Sorry]

All I know that I've learned is, deal Whitney now because he is a chump and Letang can take over right away, and that Letang is going to be the next Coffey.


That's not to even consider counting the number of people who said that Letang was a serious Calder cup contender.


Look, I think he is a fine prospect. But I don't think he is the world beater some have acted like he is.

I think you are taking the words of some people way to seriously and they do not reflect the feelings of most Pens fans. Not at all(even though the posts you linked really don't say what you claim but still i'll beleive somewhere you read something like that). I got a bit of rough treatment over the summer for suggesting that he wasn't ready for the NHL, but in no way was the majority of our fan base of the thinking that the things you said you have learned in the first sentence i have quoted above were realistic.

This thread is an over kill by some that are trying to make our fans look ignorant.

All of this aside, Letang has improved his game despite having what some would call a lackluster camp. He is right where he should be in his development IMO. I am very happy with the steps he has taken in the last year and i'm very much looking foward to what kind of player he will be in one or two years. His skating and release(he gets it off qucker than any other Dman we had in camp) are NHL calibre at this point. His decision making is the main reason he is not in the NHL this season, IMO.

 

[Gert B Frobe]

There was plenty of talk of Letang stepping in and being a top defenseman right away, even taking Whitney's spot on the top PP unit.

Sometimes people get a little giddy on the Pens board ie:

"poised for a cup run" thread back in 05-06 - one of my favorites

Esposito on Crosby's wing this year, etc.

It's fun to get fired up for your team but sometimes the newbies - with a gleem in their eye and all tipsy on wine coolers - need a little objectivity kick in the groin.

 

[XX]

Not to belittle your search, but well, I'm going to belittle your seach. You offered up 5 posts. 3 were in fact made by Pens fans, but none of them say what you purport them to say (thus my original point). In fact, each of them says exactly the opposite; that Letang could NOT come in and take over for Whitney THIS YEAR. No where do they say that Letang could come in and take over for Whiteny THIS YEAR. Furthermore, the post by doctordark that you refer to is clearly talking about Letang's potential, not where he will be this year. The other two posts are clearly were not made by Pens fans (just do a simple search of other threads they've posted in). The fact of the matter is that you've still not shown me one post that said what you claimed. Therefore, I still call bull ****.

Is it so hard to admit that Penguins fans distinct love for Letang may have rubbed some people the wrong way?

 

[Gert B Frobe]

After about 15 minutes of sorting through uh, at least 300+ posts... here are a few of the many treasures.


http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=10311090&postcount=3

http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=9695057&postcount=63

http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=9695888&postcount=65

http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=9696366&postcount=66

Now, I admit that doctordark has a strange obsession with the guy... but man.

Oh, and this nice gem from the draft discussion that's probably the crown jewel.

http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=9647884&postcount=51

All I know that I've learned is, deal Whitney now because he is a chump and Letang can take over right away, and that Letang is going to be the next Coffey.


That's not to even consider counting the number of people who said that Letang was a serious Calder cup contender.


Look, I think he is a fine prospect. But I don't think he is the world beater some have acted like he is.

Those are classics.

Man somebody has to reign those guys in!

Scratch that - posts like that are what I love most about the Pens board.

 

[Form and Substance]

After about 15 minutes of sorting through uh, at least 300+ posts... here are a few of the many treasures.


http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=10311090&postcount=3

http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=9695057&postcount=63

http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=9695888&postcount=65

http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=9696366&postcount=66

Now, I admit that doctordark has a strange obsession with the guy... but man.

Oh, and this nice gem from the draft discussion that's probably the crown jewel.

http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=9647884&postcount=51

All I know that I've learned is, deal Whitney now because he is a chump and Letang can take over right away, and that Letang is going to be the next Coffey.


That's not to even consider counting the number of people who said that Letang was a serious Calder cup contender.


Look, I think he is a fine prospect. But I don't think he is the world beater some have acted like he is.

Is it just me or is that inconclusive evidence? Those posts don't really say much except they believe in Letang which is not a wrong thing to do.

 

[SomeDude]

After about 15 minutes of sorting through uh, at least 300+ posts... here are a few of the many treasures.


http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=10311090&postcount=3

http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=9695057&postcount=63

http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=9695888&postcount=65

http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=9696366&postcount=66

Now, I admit that doctordark has a strange obsession with the guy... but man.

Oh, and this nice gem from the draft discussion that's probably the crown jewel.

http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=9647884&postcount=51

All I know that I've learned is, deal Whitney now because he is a chump and Letang can take over right away, and that Letang is going to be the next Coffey.


That's not to even consider counting the number of people who said that Letang was a serious Calder cup contender.


Look, I think he is a fine prospect. But I don't think he is the world beater some have acted like he is.

With the exception of the last post, who was probably made by some 12 year old watching the draft, none of those back up your claim. None of those are outrageous.

 

[clefty]

Not to mention that he was an easy dark horse for the calder.

Uhh yeah, nice oxymoron. What the hell is an 'easy' dark horse?

http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=10311090&postcount=3

This guy isn't even a Penguins fan.

http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=9695057&postcount=63

I....I don't get it. This person is saying that AT BEST Letang will make the squad and have a season like Ryan Whitney's rookie season. AT BEST. But he refers to Whitney being a known quantity, Letang as an unknown.

http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=9695888&postcount=65

Again I just don't get it. This person also calls Letang an unknown, and even throws the possibility out there of Letang having trouble at the NHL level.

http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=9696366&postcount=66

Over zealous, maybe. Though its just a future projection. But would you say that there is no post by, say a Capitals fan, which isn't overly zealous on someone like Semin?

Maybe this?

http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=10607507&postcount=3

"Semin should easily score 60+ goals this year."

Goes to show you there are excitable people for every team. Should I then use this post out of context and go on about the "Capitals hype machine" then as you have?

http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=9647884&postcount=51

This has nothing to do with Letang really, this a very new or very young fan speaking about the entire team.

All I know that I've learned is, deal Whitney now because he is a chump

Now who's overreacting? The fact you need to use such hyperbole and spin someone elses comments like this in order to make your argument (whatever that may be) is fitting.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

After about 15 minutes of sorting through uh, at least 300+ posts... here are a few of the many treasures.


http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=10311090&postcount=3

http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=9695057&postcount=63

http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=9695888&postcount=65

http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=9696366&postcount=66

Now, I admit that doctordark has a strange obsession with the guy... but man.

Oh, and this nice gem from the draft discussion that's probably the crown jewel.

http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=9647884&postcount=51

All I know that I've learned is, deal Whitney now because he is a chump and Letang can take over right away, and that Letang is going to be the next Coffey.


That's not to even consider counting the number of people who said that Letang was a serious Calder cup contender.


Look, I think he is a fine prospect. But I don't think he is the world beater some have acted like he is.

Quotes you offered up:

1. The guy had 52 posts, and I've never seen him on the Pens board. Hardly a regular.

2. GernerPSU wrote that Letang couldn't dream of having a season like Whitney right now, so we should keep Whits. Like, Letang won't be good enough to sell the farm just yet. Simple 2nd grade reading comprehension helps here.

3. Baton Rouge said the same as the last post! Why do you think these help your case? They are saying the opposite of what you think they do.

4. I stated that he will be a more valuable player than Whitney, all things considered. Future tense. And I stand by that statement.

5. Rookie User, 25 posts. Uh-huh.

Oh man, our Letang crush is out of control!

EDIT: I also don't recall anyone saying he'd single-handedly win the AHL playoffs.

 

[Corban]

Is it so hard to admit that Penguins fans distinct love for Letang may have rubbed some people the wrong way?

Or maybe the true question should be.......

Is it so hard to admit that fans have envy of the Penguins and their young players? Which therefore leads to why fans try to go out of their way to make absurd statements (ie... "But where's the Penguins hype machine on these boards going into overkill to quiet this post down?")

Ohh the horror...fans actually have a liking towards a new player....what can we ever do to stop this.....Grow the F up

 

[The Scouting Report]

Could someone please remind me how the 62nd overall pick can be a bust? Last time i checked, the fact that there is even this much hype around him makes him a pretty solid find.

Regardless, anyone who is calling Letang a bust right now needs to close the browser before they push submit. Letang will be a Top 4 defenseman on the Penguins and his career potential is probably to take over for Gonchar at some point and be an adequate replacement. He really needs to fine tune his game right now though, improve his strength and positioning to ensure that he can handle NHL forwards in the corner. So where do defenseman do that? Oh yes that's right, the AHL.

 

[Clarence Beeks]

Is it so hard to admit that Penguins fans distinct love for Letang may have rubbed some people the wrong way?

If that had any bearing on the claims made in this thread, then no. Otherwise, it's irrelevant to this conversation.