Penguins’ Kris Letang Added to Injured Reserve with Foot Fracture
The Pittsburgh Penguins have officially placed defenseman Kris Letang on injured reserve due to a foot fracture. This injury will sideline him for at least four weeks, resulting in a significant loss for the team.
Kris Letang’s Injury Details
Letang’s injury was announced on Saturday morning. He last played on Thursday, contributing to the Penguins’ impressive 6-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. In that game, he logged over 21 minutes of ice time and registered three shots.
Impact of the Injury
Both Letang and forward Evgeni Malkin missed practice on Friday, prompting updates on their conditions. The Penguins indicated that Letang’s recovery process will extend through the Olympic break. Fortunately, the Olympic tournament’s schedule allows for a significant portion of his recovery to take place while the league is inactive.
Season Performance
So far this season, Letang has participated in 50 games. He has recorded:
- 3 goals
- 22 assists
- 25 total points
- A plus-3 rating
- 22:05 average time on ice per game
Letang, a three-time Stanley Cup champion, is in his fourth year of a six-year contract with a salary cap hit of $6.1 million. Throughout his two-decade career, he has amassed 797 points in 1,211 games.
Penguins’ Season Overview
The Penguins have surprised many this season. Initially predicted to struggle, they currently sit in second place in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 27-14-11. They trail the Carolina Hurricanes by six points but have a game in hand.
Upcoming Games
This Saturday, the Penguins face the New York Rangers at 3:30 PM Eastern. The game will be broadcast nationally on ABC. Following this matchup, Pittsburgh will also host the Ottawa Senators on Monday.