Mark Madden: Penguins need Kris Letang, but Montreal could overpay for a French-Canadian hero

Some odd things are happening in the Pittsburgh Penguins’ orbit.

On Wednesday, the Penguins signed Jeff Carter to a two-year contract extension worth $6.25 million.

The timing is quirky.

The Penguins have more significant decisions to make regarding impending free agents, namely Kris Letang, Evgeni Malkin and Bryan Rust. If at least two of those aren’t retained, most importantly Letang, what sense does it make to have a 37-year-old center when you’re undeniably rebuilding?

Letang is the free agent the Penguins need to keep most. But it’s highly unlikely.

New Montreal GM Kent Hughes had been Letang’s agent. Letang was always going to drive a hard bargain. No hometown discount for the Penguins.

But now Hughes’ presence in Montreal gives Letang easy access to joining his hometown team on a big ticket.

The Canadiens stink. They made the Stanley Cup Final last season but now have the NHL’s worst record. Montreal fans are discerning and obviously unhappy.

But as much as anything, they want the Canadiens to have French-Canadian stars. They currently don’t, unless you count Jonathan Drouin with 20 points in 32 games. (You shouldn’t.)

The Canadiens, in fact, have just a half-dozen Quebec-born players on their roster. Those have combined for 40 points in Montreal’s 41 games.

Enter Letang.

Like any free agent, Letang will look to be overpaid. The Canadiens will be glad to oblige given their need for a French-Canadian hero.

Here’s betting Montreal pays Letang $10 million per on a three-year contract, maybe four.

What should the Penguins pay to retain Letang? This space previously suggested $8.6 per on a four-year deal.

If it takes more, offer more. The Penguins cease being a playoff team when Letang departs. He can’t be easily replaced.

Letang plays big minutes on defense at an extremely high level. This season and last have been among the best of his career. Letang is 34 but is a conditioning freak. He’s got more good years left.

Malkin legitimately might sign for less to stay with the Penguins.

Rust has 27 points in 20 games, is performing spectacularly and is pricing himself out of Pittsburgh.

He is 29 and must cash in. But Sidney Crosby won’t accompany Rust to his new workplace. Rust could go to a middling team and never score more than 15 goals. He absolutely won’t ever again see a pass like Crosby fed him Tuesday vs. Arizona: blind, between the legs and backhand.

Letang, Malkin and Rust never have been with a bad team. How will they like it if they are?

Meantime, ex-Penguin Marc-Andre Fleury is rumored to be headed from Chicago to Washington via trade.

It makes sense. The Capitals have lost eight of their last 11 and need better goaltending. They’re a near-lock to make the playoffs but are fading.

Fleury on the Capitals would be weird, especially in a playoff setting vs. the Penguins.

One report says Fleury doesn’t want to go to Washington out of loyalty to the Penguins. That sounds naive. The Blackhawks are rotten. Fleury is a competitor. He has a modified no-trade clause, which means he can submit a 10-team no-trade list.

These are interesting times for Penguins fans.

Only one thing seems certain: This season may represent the Penguins’ last best chance. They need to make the most of it.