Kris Letang To Miss Time Again

Injuries are no new occurrence for star defenseman Kris Letang. This season Letang had played in every game until last night. He was a last minute scratch with an undisclosed lower body injury. Most likely this is a groin injury and not a leg injury.

It has been encouraging to see Kris Letang healthy and playing in every game. But his absence was notable last night and it finally allowed the Pittsburgh Penguins to see the pairing of Simon Despres and Robert Bortuzzo hit the ice together.

So far Letang has played in twenty two games and has scored eighteen points (4 G – 14 A). It is unfortunate that he sustained this injury right now because throughout his last three games he had scored five points (1 G – 4 A).

Oct 28, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) is congratulated by defenseman Kris Letang (58) and right wing Patric Hornqvist (72) after Crosby scored a goal against New Jersey Devils goalie Scott Clemmensen (40) during the third period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 8-3. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

With growing uncertainty about the future of many veterans on the Penguins blueline, Kris Letang will be relied on heavier as the season progresses.

Veterans Rob Scuderi, Paul Martin and Christian Ehrhoff all are trade candidates as the season progresses. Given Kris Letang’s massive new contract and roots within the Penguins organization, he is not going anywhere.

Overall, Kris Letang’s season has been playing much better than years past and he seems to have corrected much of his sloppy play. The more time on the ice he spends, the better he gets. Hopefully Letang can shake this current injury and rejoin the team as soon as possible.

Letang’s presence on the ice is needed right now. With the Penguins lack of forward depth, a dynamic offensive defenseman will go farther than many think to ease the pressure on stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

I am a Kris Letang fan, just not at his current salary and contract length. However, right now he is the savior that the Penguins need to keep healthy and on the ice.