Latest news with #Letang
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kingerski: Why Penguins Veterans Should Embrace Leaving
Jordan Staal was the first to leave. Brooks Orpik was the second. Others followed, some by choice, others involuntarily, but not every member of the Pittsburgh Penguins championship core took salary discounts or vociferously chose to stay. And most of them were better for leaving. Advertisement The improvement was not because the Penguins' organization was a limiting factor, but because change is a good thing. Leaving the past and changing situations behind, and being well-fitted to a new situation has a lot of benefits. It seems Sidney Crosby and his resolute desire to remain with one team for the entirety of his career has become an epidemic that has spread to many others, league-wide. But it shouldn't. Would Staal have become a cornerstone with a commensurate salary if he stayed with the Penguins as the third center behind Crosby and Evgeni Malkin? Orpik cashed in and was paid handsomely by the Washington Capitals, not only expanding his bank account but also earning industry recognition as he introduced his snarling defensive game to a whole new fan base. Advertisement Sometimes, change is forced, but it doesn't diminish the potential. When Marc-Andre Fleury was cast aside for Matt Murray in 2017, he had no way of knowing the pain he felt would become the best thing that could have happened to his career. A Vezina Trophy, an adoring city, and league-wide recognition as one of the best followed. Fleury being sent away was the wrong move for the Penguins organization (and yes, I wrote that several times in 2017. You can look up the waves of argument and hate that came my way), but a freeing moment for the gleeful goalie because all of his baggage was left behind. He was no longer held accountable by fans and hockey for the playoff implosions of 2012 and 2013. He was no longer the goalie who nearly lost his job to journeyman Ty Conklin or Tomas Vokoun a few years prior, or the scrambly netminder he could sometimes be, and some fans would not forget. Sure, everyone loves Fleury now. He's the story of the World Championships as he finally … FINALLY … made his Team Canada debut Sunday with a resounding win over Latvia. But the undeniable truth is that had Fleury stayed in 2017, he would have been saddled with the baggage for the remainder of his career, every loss proof that his failures were truth and his successes brushed aside as inconvenient details. Advertisement For the inverse of Fleury, see also: Kris Letang. Letang never had that moment of being loved by a new fanbase and touted by a media contingent, thus changing the perceptions. He's carried the labels slapped upon him by the locals of turnovers and risky play without the adulation of a fresh start. A reader recently called Letang a first-ballot Hall of Famer (the expression rings true in American sports, though a selection committee chooses members in hockey). I've assumed that to be true, but then I wondered. Letang was not named to the Quarter Century Team. Drew Doughty and Duncan Keith made picks. While Letang is absolutely deserving to be inducted the moment he's eligible, perhaps he won't be. Perhaps the cacophony of criticism that dogged Letang for nearly two decades has indeed sullied the view of those from the outside. Advertisement One can't help but apply the same corollary to coach Mike Sullivan, now the New York Rangers boss. He, too, is getting a fresh start. He quickly bolstered the New York Rangers' outlook and projections. No longer the miserly commander who hates young players or won't make changes, he, too, left his baggage in Pittsburgh. Wayne Gretzky didn't get to stay in Edmonton. Or LA. Yes, Mario Lemieux did remain in Pittsburgh for the entirety of his three careers, two stints as a player and one as owner. Steve Yzerman anchored the Detroit Red Wings from the glory days of the mid-1990s championships through the greatest teams money could buy of the early 2000s, and now leads them as the president of hockey operations/GM. Advertisement Evgeni Malkin declined his potential moves. Oh, teams such as the Florida Panthers tried to make it happen, yet Malkin chose to return on a four-year contract that expires after next season despite the knowledge that he would have had a line of suitors on the free agent market. Letang passed on the same free agency opportunities. As players cleaned out last month, Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell firmly stated their desire to stay. When Letang spoke to PHN in March, he was firm that he knew the game was just a business, but he controls his fate with a no-movement clause for another season. The NMC will be mitigated by a 10-team approved trade clause on July 1, 2026. Advertisement And so with the same scenario again playing out in which a new beginning is enhancing a core member's wallet and prestige (if Sullivan counts core), again playing out with Sullivan in New York, perhaps its time for Penguins GM Kyle Dubas and other core players to realize leaving isn't the end of the world. In fact, it's probably just the beginning for both sides. Just don't tell Crosby. The post Kingerski: Why Penguins Veterans Should Embrace Leaving appeared first on Pittsburgh Hockey Now.
New York Times
16-04-2025
- Health
- New York Times
Kris Letang's Penguins teammates don't expect him to retire anytime soon
CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Kris Letang, who turns 38 next week, has endured enough health ailments to make even the most hardened of doctors grimace. He's had two strokes, major neck surgery, life-altering migraines, concussions, broken bones, torn ligaments and many unknown injuries suffered during a hockey life well lived. Advertisement The latest? Letang underwent surgery on Tuesday to repair a hole in his heart — that hole that has long been believed to be at the foundation of his strokes. True to form, Letang, less than 24 hours after the operation, visited with his teammates on Wednesday before the Penguins practiced. 'I think he wants to play until he's 50,' Sidney Crosby said of his longtime friend and teammate. There is very possibly truth in that sentiment. Letang is known for his outrageous conditioning and has three years remaining on his contract. He has never suggested that he wants this to be his final NHL contract. The Penguins are downplaying Letang's latest medical update and have offered reassurance that the veteran defenseman did not sustain another stroke. 'This wasn't a reaction to anything from an injury standpoint,' Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. 'This is something that Kris and the medical team have discussed for a long time. Given the circumstance with Kris right now — he's banged up, he's dealing with a lot of bumps and bruises — collectively, we thought as a group that it made the most sense to have the procedure done at this particular time. So, it isn't anything that caused it. It's just something that's an ongoing discussion for a long period of time now, and we just felt it was the opportune time to do it.' The Penguins said in their news release that Letang's recovery time from the heart procedure is four to six weeks. Given that the Penguins have missed the playoffs, Letang won't be expected back in the lineup until October, which gives him time to prepare for his 20th NHL season. His teammates are convinced Letang has no interest in walking away from the sport despite his health history, career accomplishments and financial security. Letang's career earnings are close to $100 million, he owns three Stanley Cup rings, he will be a good candidate to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame and he has a young family. And yet, to those who know him best, retirement is the last thing on his mind. Advertisement 'Kris doesn't care about money or anything like that,' said P.O Joseph, one of Letang's closest friends. 'This is a guy who just wants to play hockey every night. He wants to be out there in the battle. He wants to win. I think it would take an awful to for him to quit playing, to be honest. It's a little scary, obviously — it's not like you ever want to hear about a teammate of yours having heart surgery. But he'll find a way to get back at it.' Letang has been asked on many occasions about the idea of retiring because of his health concerns, namely the two strokes. He typically shrugs his shoulders, insists doctors have cleared him, and says 'I love hockey.' His teammates certainly love him and are happy that he was in such good spirits on Wednesday morning. They weren't surprised that he appeared so quickly following the procedure. 'He's a maniac,' fellow Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson said. 'I was expecting to see him (Tuesday), to be honest. I talked to him (Tuesday), though, so I knew he was fine.' Heart surgery is never easy for anyone to accept. Hockey players, Karlsson said, are used to dealing with athletic-related injuries. This, of course, is an unusual situation for a professional athlete, especially one as physically finely tuned as Letang. 'He's had some issues in the past,' Karlsson said. 'That's probably one of the things you don't want to see. You break a leg? We're all accustomed to dealing with that. Heart issues, stuff like that, it's never good to see. But he was in here today and seemed in good spirits. Seemed like everything was well. He was in a good mood. I think that eases everybody's mind.' Despite his long history of injuries and illness, Letang has played 1,161 games in his NHL career. Only two players in franchise history, Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, have played more. Advertisement Only 161 players in NHL history have played more career games than Letang. 'Obviously, anything like that, you get a little worried,' Bryan Rust said. 'Him, and other people, have reassured us that it wasn't too overly bad. It was just something that needed to be done.' Rust said Letang had let teammates know well in advance that the procedure was likely to take place at some point. 'Guys have known about it for a little while now,' Rust said. 'He was really mature about it. He understood it needed to be done. He treated it that way.' Whether because the surgery was old news to them or because the Penguins have supreme confidence in Letang, it was almost business as usual in the team's locker room on Wednesday. 'The thing is, he's good,' Joseph said. 'He's moving around pretty well, too. He's cracking jokes. He seems like he's in a really good place, and that's the most important thing of all right now. We're just all happy that he's OK.'
Reuters
16-04-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Penguins D Kris Letang recovering from heart surgery
April 16 - Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang is recovering from heart surgery, the team announced Wednesday. Letang, who turns 38 next week, underwent a successful procedure in Pittsburgh on Tuesday to close a small hole in his heart. The Penguins said the expected recovery time for the 19-year NHL veteran is four to six weeks. Letang has suffered two strokes during his career, the first in 2014 and another in 2022. He also had surgery last May to repair a broken finger. Letang recorded 30 points (nine goals, 21 assists) in 74 games this season for the Penguins, who missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the third straight season. A two-time Stanley Cup champion and two-time All-Star, Letang has recorded 772 points (175 goals, 597 assists) in 1,161 games since Pittsburgh drafted him in the third round in 2005. He ranks third in franchise history in games behind longtime teammates Sidney Crosby (1,351) and Evgeni Malkin (1,212).
NBC Sports
16-04-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang undergoes surgery to close small hole in his heart
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang's season is over. The 19-year veteran will miss Pittsburgh's finale against Washington after undergoing a procedure to close a small hole in his heart. Letang did not participate in the team's practice for what coach Mike Sullivan called a medical appointment. Letang, a three-time Stanley Cup champion, has missed time earlier in his career due to strokes related to a hole in his heart. The team said the expected timeline for Letang to make a full recovery is 4-6 weeks. Pittsburgh was eliminated from postseason contention earlier this month. Letang, who is signed through the 2027-28 season, had nine goals and 21 assists in 74 games for Pittsburgh this year, his lowest point total over a full season since 2009-10. The 37-year-old Letang also averaged a team-high 23:32 of ice time.
Fox Sports
16-04-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang undergoes surgery to close small hole in his heart
Associated Press PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang's season is over. The 19-year veteran will miss Pittsburgh's finale against Washington on Thursday night after undergoing a procedure to close a small hole in his heart. The Penguins made the announcement on Wednesday. Letang did not participate in the team's practice on Tuesday for what coach Mike Sullivan called a medical appointment. Letang, a three-time Stanley Cup champion, has missed time earlier in his career due to strokes related to a hole in his heart. The team said the expected timeline for Letang to make a full recovery is 4-6 weeks. Pittsburgh was eliminated from postseason contention earlier this month. Letang, who is signed through the 2027-28 season, had nine goals and 21 assists in 74 games for Pittsburgh this year, his lowest point total over a full season since 2009-10. The 37-year-old Letang also averaged a team-high 23:32 of ice time. ___ AP NHL: recommended in this topic
