The Pittsuburgh Penguins have announced that defenseman Kris Letang underwent surgery to repair a fractured finger on May 10. The surgery was successful and his expected recovery time is eight weeks.
Letang will likely be ready for the starting of training camp, which begins in mid-September.
The team also announced that defenseman John Ludvig underwent surgery to repair a wrist injury, while forward Matt Nieto underwent MCL surgery on his left knee.
Letang is coming off of a season in which he tallied 51 points (10 goals & 41 assists) in 82 games. It marked the second 50-point season for Letang over the last three campaigns.
The veteran defenseman just finished up the second season of a six-year, $36.6 million contract that he signed in the 2022 offseason. Letang has spent his entire 18-year NHL career with the Penguins and has racked up 742 points (166 goals & 576 assists) during that span.
The Penguins came up short in their pursuit of the Stanley Cup Playoffs as the team finished just four points out of a playoff spot. It will certainly be an intriguing offseason for the franchise under general manager Kyle Dubas as players like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Letang are in the latter years of their respective careers.
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang recently underwent surgery to repair a fractured finger, the team announced on Tuesday. The injury occurred during a game against the Washington Capitals on Monday night, where Letang blocked a shot with his hand.
The surgery was successful, but Letang is expected to be out of the lineup for approximately two months as he recovers. This news comes as a blow to the Penguins, who are currently fighting for a playoff spot in the competitive Metropolitan Division.
Letang is a key player for the Penguins, known for his offensive prowess and strong defensive play. He has recorded 34 points in 37 games this season, ranking him among the top defensemen in the league in terms of scoring.
In Letang’s absence, the Penguins will have to rely on their depth on defense to fill the void. Players like John Marino and Marcus Pettersson will likely see increased ice time and responsibility in Letang’s absence.
Despite the setback, the Penguins remain optimistic about their chances moving forward. Head coach Mike Sullivan expressed confidence in his team’s ability to overcome adversity and continue to compete at a high level.
As Letang begins his recovery process, the Penguins will be looking to stay competitive in the tough Metropolitan Division. The team will need to come together and rally around each other in order to make up for the loss of one of their top players.
Overall, while Letang’s injury is certainly a setback for the Penguins, the team remains focused on their ultimate goal of making a deep playoff run. With strong leadership and a resilient group of players, the Penguins will look to weather the storm and come out stronger on the other side.
