Ryan Wilson: What's the deal with Kris Letang? What's the deal with Kris Letang?

Foist one to not read the blog!

I think Letang has looked much better over the passed three or four games.

How can you not attribute this poor start to his injury?!?!

His hair is too perfect?

Foist one to not read the blog!
- Reverend Killtaker

His hair is too perfect?
- YuenglingJagr

Agreed. The stuff of legends.

I think its fair at this point to recognize that the 2 obviously explanations touched on in Ryan's article are the most likely:

1. This injury is not something that is a short term recovery.
2. The team in general is not as good as in past years due to a number of factors including fatigue and roster construction.

We saw this is Maata with his injury/health issues and its even more noticeable with Letang because of the high exposure minutes he gets. It's reasonable to expect he will get better simply because history indicates that he will. IT's also reasonable to believe that GMJR will add some depth externally, and some will come internally eventually from WBS. I'm honestly not that worried about any of this stuff as long as they just make the playoffs. They are in good shape to do that and are only 2 points off the division lead. As we know, its a marathon and not a sprint.

Letang has looked better recently for the most part and so has the entire team. He needs to play less a night to allow himself to get back into the groove. They need Justin Shultz to be the alpha Dman on the team for awhile and he is very capable of stepping up. Letang shouldn’t see it as an insult or a demotion but as a way to take some of the pressure off of himself. He will be fine just give him time.

I think it is a great sign that he looks good physically and that his body has been able to handle all of the minutes.

Seems like a similar situation to Aaron Ekblad, espn happens to have an article on him right now. Having the concussion and neck issues is probably having more of a mental impact than anything. He will figure it out.

http://www.espn.com/nhl/s...rack-thanks-chris-pronger

Regardless of how good or bad Letang can be, I think Schultz is the better choice in the 1st PP unit

If all of the teams play the rest of their games so they have the same amount of games pittsburgh has and win all of them then we are 2nd to last

If all of the teams play the rest of their games so they have the same amount of games pittsburgh has and win all of them then we are 2nd to last
- martox

The only team that would jump us would be the Rangers. We would still be in front of the Caps and Canes.

Greetings to my favourite flightless bird fans.

I'll be in your neck of the woods on Saturday.

Where's a good place to take the family before a game? I'm looking for a place with some buzz (some hockey buzz!) - filled with Penguins fans, edible food, etc.

You know, the best pre-game sports bar/restaurant.

Thanks in advance!

He hasn't been the same since he cut his hair, plain and simple... no fancy stats or spreadsheets needed.

Greetings to my favourite flightless bird fans.

I'll be in your neck of the woods on Saturday.

Where's a good place to take the family before a game? I'm looking for a place with some buzz (some hockey buzz!) - filled with Penguins fans, edible food, etc.

You know, the best pre-game sports bar/restaurant.

Thanks in advance!
- Atomic Wedgie

Bufords Kitchen

Greetings to my favourite flightless bird fans.

I'll be in your neck of the woods on Saturday.

Where's a good place to take the family before a game? I'm looking for a place with some buzz (some hockey buzz!) - filled with Penguins fans, edible food, etc.

You know, the best pre-game sports bar/restaurant.

Thanks in advance!
- Atomic Wedgie

Primanti Brothers. (cheap as (frank) too.)

Good test for the Pens coming up. Four home games against good teams (maybe not the Avs) playing well. Rangers, Islanders, Maple Leafs and Avalanche. Six points out of eight would be acceptable.

Primanti Brothers. (cheap as (frank) too.)
- j.boyd919

Good lord.

Greetings to my favourite flightless bird fans.

I'll be in your neck of the woods on Saturday.

Where's a good place to take the family before a game? I'm looking for a place with some buzz (some hockey buzz!) - filled with Penguins fans, edible food, etc.

You know, the best pre-game sports bar/restaurant.

Thanks in advance!
- Atomic Wedgie

Welcome to Da Burgh.

Options:

Primanti brothers in the Strip District, which also is a family friendly place with lots of cool markets and Pittsburgh flavor shops. Its kind of on the other side from downtown, but a short Uber. Its really more of a bar/sandwhich shop than a restaurant, but a must do if in town. They have downtown locations as well, but the one on 18th in the strip is the original and IMHO, still the best. Lots of Pittsburgh flavor there.

There is also a Primantis in Market Square/PPG place. PPG Place is maybe a 10 to 15 minute walk to the Arena, and is a pretty cool area, complete with an outdoor skating rink and a really nice Christmas Display this time of year that the family might enjoy:
http://www.ppgplace.com/events/spirit-of-giving/

Lots of other restaurants there too and make sure to hit Prantl's bakery there for almond torte cake. Primantis for sandwich + Prantl's for desert = food coma.

If you want something closer, Buford's as mentioned is right across the street from there, otherwise, a block up the street is Pizza Milano. Get there at least 90 minutes before puck drop if you want a seat. Really good pizza, wings, and make sure to get an order of house rolls. Cheap too.

Enjoy.

Welcome to Da Burgh.

Options:

Primanti brothers in the Strip District, which also is a family friendly place with lots of cool markets and Pittsburgh flavor shops. Its kind of on the other side from downtown, but a short Uber. Its really more of a bar/sandwhich shop than a restaurant, but a must do if in town. They have downtown locations as well, but the one on 18th in the strip is the original and IMHO, still the best. Lots of Pittsburgh flavor there.

There is also a Primantis in Market Square/PPG place. PPG Place is maybe a 10 to 15 minute walk to the Arena, and is a pretty cool area, complete with an outdoor skating rink and a really nice Christmas Display this time of year that the family might enjoy:
http://www.ppgplace.com/events/spirit-of-giving/

Lots of other restaurants there too and make sure to hit Prantl's bakery there for almond torte cake. Primantis for sandwich + Prantl's for desert = food coma.

If you want something closer, Buford's as mentioned is right across the street from there, otherwise, a block up the street is Pizza Milano. Get there at least 90 minutes before puck drop if you want a seat. Really good pizza, wings, and make sure to get an order of house rolls. Cheap too.

Enjoy.
- Emperor Filonius

Yeah I would definitely add my vote to the Strip. So many cool shops there. That candy shop is off the chain. Used to be an awesome magic shop down by Wooley's too, I can't remember if it's still there.

@ Wedgie.

3001 Beaver ave Pittsburgh my friend.

There's an old stone building there, that gets quite crowded so I don't think there are any walk ins, you have to book. Not sure about the food but everyone still goes back so it must be ok. Big mix of clientele so plenty to mix with. The kids have their own special section where the adults leave them so the adults get some 'time' to think about how great their lives are.

I even think there is some role playing of sorts that can be entertaining & you get to dress up. The ammenities are quite sparse apparently & there's even showers there - but hey, old joke, DONT DROP THE SOAP.

we just took a trip to the burgh.....

bufords is about the only thing decent in the area around the arena.

milano's was meh.

Zbest BBQ was recommended. we didnt even try it. looks run down and gross.

the souper bowl is fun after the game if you can get in. but their food sucks.

really your best option is to go to the strip. my wife and i made the mistake of not going out of fear of not being able to get an uber back to the arena in time.

also as you walk around near the arena be prepared to be asked for money about 1000 times. so sketch ball looking mofo's too.

any ways enjoy your trip.

we just took a trip to the burgh.....

bufords is about the only thing decent in the area around the arena.

milano's was meh.

Zbest BBQ was recommended. we didnt even try it. looks run down and gross.

the souper bowl is fun after the game if you can get in. but their food sucks.

really your best option is to go to the strip. my wife and i made the mistake of not going out of fear of not being able to get an uber back to the arena in time.

also as you walk around near the arena be prepared to be asked for money about 1000 times. so sketch ball looking mofo's too.

any ways enjoy your trip.
- pensfan024

I'm always perplexed at how few restaurants have moved in down in that block across from the arena. As a rule of thumb, the further past the arena you get away from downtown, the sketchier the neighborhood gets. I saved a couple of guys from Ottawa last year who got turned around leaving the arena last year and thought they were walking downtown when in fact they were walking up 5th towards uptown and Oakland.

Wedgie, where are you staying and how much time do you have. I can recommend a couple other things for the family to do as well. Pittsburgh is a great city.

Yeah I would definitely add my vote to the Strip. So many cool shops there. That candy shop is off the chain. Used to be an awesome magic shop down by Wooley's too, I can't remember if it's still there.
- j.boyd919

Wholey's, and yes its still there. Great fish market.

Letang's last few games have been better, hopefully it continues.