As Pittsburgh’s top defenseman, Kris Letang faces a decision this offseason despite playing through significant health issues this season. Penguins president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas confirmed on Friday that Letang is currently seeking a second opinion and the decision is likely to lead towards significant surgery. Despite visible struggles to maintain his usual skating speed, Letang did not miss a single game this season, impressively playing in all 82 games for the first time since 2011.
Throughout the tail end of the season, Letang took several maintenance days between games, indicating that he was pushing through pain and injuries. Even at the age of 37, Letang averaged 24:41 minutes of ice time per game, scoring 10 goals and recording 41 assists this season. He still has four years remaining on the deal he signed with the Penguins in 2022. The resilience and perseverance shown by Letang this season highlight his dedication and commitment to the team, making him a valuable asset to the Penguins both on and off the ice.
