Kris Letang, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ top defenseman, has been a constant presence on the ice for 11 consecutive seasons, despite facing numerous health issues throughout the past season. Penguins president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas announced on Friday that Letang is facing a crucial decision this offseason. Dubas hinted that Letang may need to undergo significant surgery after seeking a second opinion.
Despite the challenges he faced, Letang remained committed to his team and showcased his resilience and dedication. Head coach Mike Sullivan commended Letang’s commitment and toughness, acknowledging the numerous injuries he played through this season. Despite missing several games in previous seasons, Letang did not miss a single game during the 2023-24 season, proving his determination to make an impact on the ice.
Throughout the tail end of the season, Letang often took “maintenance days” in between games to manage his health issues. However, he remained a key player for the Penguins and recorded impressive stats while contributing to their success. As he approaches his 37th birthday, Letang continues to be a crucial player for the Penguins, with several years still remaining on his current contract.
Kris Letang has been a pillar of strength for the Pittsburgh Penguins’ defense over the past decade. He has led the team in ice time every season since 2011 and was instrumental in their Stanley Cup victories in 2016 and 2017.
However, this past season was particularly challenging for him as he battled various health issues throughout it. Despite this adversity, he continued to play through them with grit and determination.
As a result of these challenges, Dubas announced that Letang will need to make a significant decision this offseason regarding his health issues. Dubas hinted that Letang may require surgery before continuing with hockey activities.
Despite these obstacles, Dubas praised Letang’s commitment and toughness on Friday when speaking about him publicly.
“Kris has shown tremendous resilience and dedication throughout his career,” Dubas said.” His commitment to our team is unmatched.”
Dubas also acknowledged that letantg played through numerous injuries throughout this season without missing any games.
“He’s been able to maintain an incredibly high level of play despite all those challenges,” Dubas said.” It’s just an example of how much we value Kris as part of our organization.”
