Letang gave full support to Penguins trading for Karlsson

CRANBERRY, Pa. -- Kris Letang was on board with the Pittsburgh Penguins trading for Erik Karlsson.

Letang, a three-time Stanley Cup champion (2009, 2016, 2017), has been a top-pair defenseman during most of his 17 seasons in Pittsburgh. The 36-year-old has 156 goals, 535 assists and 691 points in 1,005 games, each first in Penguins history at his position.

Karlsson, 33, won the Norris Trophy voted as the best defensemen in the NHL for the third time last season. He was acquired from the San Jose Sharks on Sunday in a three-team trade that included the Montreal Canadiens.

But only after Penguins president of hockey operations and general manager Kyle Dubas spoke with Letang.

"I'm never looking for approval," Dubas said Monday. "Being in Kris' spot, you're looking for, 'This is what we're thinking, Kris. Here's how we see it working.' Just so we have an idea for where he's at. Unsurprisingly with Kris, it was very clearly, 'Whatever is going to make us better and help us win.'"

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Karlsson had 101 points (25 goals, 76 assists) in 82 games last season, becoming the sixth defenseman in NHL history to reach 100 points in a season, and the first since Brian Leetch had 102 for the New York Rangers in 1991-92.

Letang had a stroke, the second of his NHL career, on Nov. 28. He missed five games before returning Dec. 10, and led Pittsburgh defensemen with 41 points (12 goals, 29 assists) in 64 games.

Since 2014-15, Karlsson has averaged 26:02 of ice time per game, second among NHL players behind Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (26:59). Letang is third at 25:37.

Their minutes should not be cut dramatically, Dubas said.

"I think both are extraordinarily well-conditioned," Dubas said. "Kris' competitiveness is well-renowned. Erik's competitiveness will stand out as everyone in the room gets to know him. But both have shown, in the past, to be able to take on massive minutes. And I think we want to be cognizant of that as we go through the regular season.

"I think it allows us to have one of those two players on the ice for at least 50 minutes a game. Hopefully a little bit less."

Dubas was hired as president of hockey operations June 1 and assumed the role of general manager Aug. 3. Karlsson is the final major piece of his approach to retooling the Penguins, who were 40-31-11 last season and missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2005-06.

Having Karlsson and Letang as part of the group of defensemen could reinvigorate the Penguins' transition game, coach Mike Sullivan said.

"I think we're a dangerous team when we have the ability to get out of our end efficiently and effectively and get the puck into our forwards' hands in a timely fashion," Sullivan said. "And I think Erik's going to be a huge help for us in that regard. He's going to drive a lot of offense for us.

"Kris Letang drives a lot of offense for us from the blue line. Now we've got another guy that's going to drive a lot of offense and I think these guys can really complement some of our star players at the forward position."

Karlsson and Letang are right-handed shots, and likely will be paired with either Ryan Graves or Marcus Pettersson, each a left-handed shot considered more defense-oriented.

Graves, who signed a six-year, $27 million contract ($4.5 million average annual value) July 1, had 26 points (eight goals, 18 assists) in 78 games for the New Jersey Devils last season. Pettersson had 24 points (one goal, 23 assists) in 68 games for the Penguins.

"I wouldn't just classify them as offensive weapons. They're both great all-around defensemen," Dubas said of Karlsson and Letang. "Then there are two players in Marcus and Ryan Graves that are more known for their defensive play on the left, so it'll give us a chance to see just how the pairs fit best."

With Karlsson and Letang as a one-two punch, Dubas said the Penguins are in position to compete for the Stanley Cup this season.

To Dubas, Letang's desire to win should be credited.

"The group of guys that have won here together, that's all they care about," Dubas said. "They're not worried about their power-play time. They're not worried about anything other than winning. Whatever is going to help the team win, they want to do and they will do."

NHL.com staff writer Amalie Benjamin contributed to this report