Breaking: Controversy surrounding Letang trade rumors

Rumors have been swirling violently since last weekend. The Pittsburgh Penguins are likely on the verge of a major trade and one of the big names on the market, according to Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos - is Kris Letang.

The long-time Penguins star defenseman is having one of the worst seasons of his career defensively, and a big part of that is coming back from a long injury last season.

There isn't any surprise then that his name is being mentioned on the rumor mill, but this came as a big surprise to Letang's camp.

Jason Mackey reported on the Letang rumor on a segment for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette recently, saying the following.

"Nick Kypreos floated on “Hockey Night in Canada” that the Penguins were shopping Kris Letang. Can’t say for sure they’re not, but I’ve been told that nobody in Letang’s camp was aware of it happening, if Kypreos is correct.

Hard to imagine the Penguins would be shopping Letang, a franchise pillar with a no-movement clause, without at least outlining their intentions first."

Of course, it's possible that Jim Rutherford is quietly working on this trade but as Mackey points out, if this were true, Letang and his camp would know about it. The rumor came as a total surprise to them, so it's unlikely that there's truth to it.

Either way - a fan poll conducted earlier this month demonstrated that many wanted Letang gone, despite being a fan favorite for many years. Whether this rumor is true or not, how do you feel today about Letang possibly going to a new team? For, or against it?