Kris Letang missed last night’s game due to an “illness….
It was a lot more than an illness. He has suffered another stroke, the first being in 2014.
There will not be any further updates to his condition until all testing is completed and a medical plan is in place. His condition is not believed to be career threatening.
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) November 30, 2022
This really sucks. I can’t think of many scarier scenarios than this. Kris Letang takes care of himself as good as any player in the entire league and perhaps across all sports. His fitness is a point of strength. If it can happen to him, twice, it can happen to any one of us. Fortunately, Letang is in tune with his body and was able to recognize things weren’t right
Letang continued: "I am optimistic that I will be back on the ice soon."
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) November 30, 2022
While it is somewhat refreshing to hear Kris Letang speak about returning to hockey it also feels like a complete afterthought in a moment like this. I have no doubt Letang, his doctors, and the Penguins organization will do their due diligence to make sure everything is in order before he returns to the ice.
Hextall continued: "He is a warrior on the ice, but first and foremost, he is a son, father, husband, and friend. His health is our number one priority."
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) November 30, 2022
Hextall said that right now, everything is looking as positive as it can be, and this stroke is much less severe than the one Letang suffered in 2014. "I'm shocked at how well he's doing emotionally." Added with a smile, "He's already asking when he can get back onto the ice."
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) November 30, 2022
Letang’s level of play hasn’t been the same as it was last year. Correlation doesn’t necessarily mean causation, but it seems well within the realm of possibility that this was an underlying condition having a negative effect. The hockey stuff is obviously secondary to his personal health and his familial life.
Best wishes to Kris Letang and his family at this time. Take your time and be well.
Thanks for reading!