Kris Letang. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
1. Kris Letang
What hasn’t already been said about Kris Letang? Picked fairly late in the same entry draft as Sidney Crosby, if the 2005 draft was redone Letang would be a surefire top five to ten pick. Letang is a former Norris Trophy finalist who was on the inside track to pick up his first individual award in 2015 if concussion issues hadn’t sidelined him for the home stretch of the NHL season and playoffs.
Letang is the ideal blend of shot, speed, and smarts in today’s NHL. While not having overwhelming physical size he is the most conditioned athlete on the team if not the entire NHL. Letang’s workouts are legendary, and his conditioning unmatched.
Johnston on Olli Maatta: "You couldn't have a more positive young guy."
— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) September 17, 2015
Johnston on Kris Letang: "He's a machine now."
If not for his uncontrollable bad luck Letang would have likely already moved into the upper echelon of the NHL’s most well-known and well revered blue liners. While some may argue he is not a true power play quarterback or absolute number one defenseman, he is clearly the cream of the Pittsburgh Penguins crop.
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