Penguins’ Kris Letang not focused on pending free agency, rumors of departure

Kris Letang didn’t deny he is aware of it. But to him, it’s nothing new.

The veteran defenseman’s eight-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins expires this summer, leading to plenty of “noise” in the form of rumors his tenure with the team will, too.

“I mean, that noise has been in my ear for eight years,” Letang said Wednesday, “so it doesn’t really matter.”

Whispers that Letang and the Penguins will not be able to come to an agreement about an extension on a deal that has been paying him an average of $7.25 million per year suggests a return to his native Quebec to play for the Montreal Canadiens.

Letang, as expected, did not directly address any specific rumors, but he let it be known he wasn’t going to participate in furthering them.

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“At the end of the day, I’m 34 years old; (hearing) those things doesn’t really bother me anymore,” Letang said. “Whatever happens, happens. It’s out of my control for right now, and I just want to focus on what’s important — and that’s our team this year and trying to win a championship.”

Letang’s 16th season has been among his best. He has his second-most points per 60 minutes of play (2.5) of his career and is on pace to set career highs in assists (42 in 51 games) and plus/minus (plus-17). The 25 minutes, 50 seconds of ice time ranks third for a season in his career.

“‘Tanger’ is just an elite player,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said, “and he has played that way for my whole time here in Pittsburgh and beyond. So I don’t know that he’s doing anything different this year with respect to his personal game.

“He’s quietly had a real solid year for us.”