I think that is more than fair return for him, but not sure Letang would waive and definitely don't think MTL should do this.

Letang will be 41 when that contract expires. Does he fit the Habs timeline for 4 more years, or would he prevent Reinbacher or Mailloux from being in the NHL when they're ready?

As for the Penguins' side, No. They're not done trying to contend, and neither Jordan nor Harris make up for the loss of Letang. Retaining $3M for 4 years also isn't appealing. Also, just because he's French Canadian doesn't mean he'd waive his NMC for Montreal. I don't think any of Sid, Geno, or Letang have interest in playing for a different NHL team. Ever.

You know this isn’t happening.

We have an over abundance of young D, and need quality vets to partner them with.
Hughes has been consistently bringing in his old clients.
This would make sense on many levels.

Savard retires before Letang.
Eventually Reinbacher, Mailloux, and Letang form our right side D.
Defensemen get injured also, you need depth.
“Just cuz he’s French Canadian”…Letang’s deepest bond to anyone outside of the Penguins organization is with Kent Hughes.
And it’s way deeper with Hughes than with Dubas or new ownership. Just saying…

Eventually being the keyword. Montreal has a lot of defensemen at or near NHL caliber. There's probably going to be time where you have to choose between keeping someone NHL ready in the AHL or lose a good player on waivers.
You focused a lot on Hughes vs Dubas when the real bonds within the Pens are with Crosby and Malkin. Is Hughes important enough to Tanger to break those three up? I don't think so.
And that doesn't change the fact that this trade isn't in the best interest of the Penguins.

I agree with you that it’s likely either the three all stay, or the three all go. I’m betting on the latter. If Crosby and Letang end up going, I think Montreal has a better shot than any other one single team standing alone. If Crosby brings cup number 25 to the Habs, he’s the goat. Jersey number 87 hanging from those rafters? The thought of that particular challenge has definitely crossed his mind. We have the stable of young talent that would make this exactly the right time.

To your point on our young D and waivers, there’s enough demand across the league for young D prospects for us to get a decent return, at least in terms of a decent pick at the draft from a team with a short or medium term window. Like we did with a few years back.

It’s not a huge stretch to imagine Harris and Barron each fetching a second round pick. 3rd rounder at the lowest if there’s only one team who sees them as a fit.

My use of the word “eventually” was in reference to your comment that Letang would block the development of our young D. He wouldn’t. We need to pick the horses that were going with for the long term now. And properly support them. Hutson with Savard is the right pair. I think Letang would be perfect for Guhle. And Matheson for Mailloux and/or Reinbacher with the other eventually replacing Savard with Hutson. And then Hutson eventually replacing Matheson. Xhekaj can fit in so many different ways, left and right.