Letang missed the last 10 games with an elbow infection. He was out a little longer than expected, but it is great the Penguins to get their premiere defenseman back today. It has been a troubling year for Letang. He has been battling injuries and has tallied only 11 points (6G / 5A) with a minus-6 rating in 24 games. Expect him to play 20-plus minutes and see tons of power-play time in his return.
Letang was practicing today and took reps with the Penguins top power-play unit which is a positive sign that he could make his return tomorrow. The game starts at one so he will likely be re-evaluated in the morning and head coach Dan Bylsma will address the media a few hours before puck-drop.
The Penguins start 2014 with some great news. Letang has missed the last nine games but his return to practice is a great sign that he is nearing a return from his elbow infection. The Penguins are in action on Friday, monitor Letang's status.
Letang has not been placed on the long-term injured reserve list, which would force him to miss at least 10 games and 24 days. Letang had a medical procedure to clean an open wound that appeared after the Penguins won at home against New Jersey on Dec. 13. He participated in pregame warm-ups at Detroit the next day but was a late-decision scratch. Letang did not have the surgery to repair a bone break or displacement or ligament damage. He had the procedure only to treat an infection in the wound. Temporary casting is in place to prevent arm movement that could reopen the wound.
The injury reports on Letang have been extremely vague, but obviously it is obvious that he is dealing with some sort of arm injury. He has already been ruled out of the next two games as he won't return until after the Christmas break.
This is a terrible break for the Penguins who are already without Paul Martin, Brooks Orpik and Rob Scuderi on the blueline. The Penguins play five games before the Christmas break, so he will miss at least five games, but could be more.
Letang took part in warmups but was a late scratch for Saturday's game vs. the Red Wings. There was no word on how serious Letang's injury is and he will likely be re-evaluated this week. His placement on IR means he will miss at least one week from Saturday. Monitor his status as the week progresses.
“We'll see,” Letang said. “I don't know what's going on right now.”
No word on what is ailing Letang but he will not be in the lineup vs. the Red Wings. The Peguins are now without Paul Martin, Rob Scuderi, Brooks Orpik and Letang on the blueline. Brian Dumoulin will enter the lineup.
Since returning from his knee injury on October 25, Letang has scored three goals and added one assist in nine games. If he can't go tonight, the returning Paul Martin would take his spot on the Penguins top power-play unit.
Letang will skate with Rob Scuderi in 5-on-5 situations, he will also be featured on their top power-play unit, as well as 5-on-3 unit. Letang should be safe to play even though it is his first game back. He is too talented to bench.
Letang has been sidelined for the Penguins first nine games because of a knee injury. The Penguins went 7-2-0 without their star defenseman, so his presence on the back-end and on the power-play will only bolster and already elite lineup. There were reports that he was 'flying' in practice this week, making him safe to deploy tonight - if he plays of course.
Letang will likely make his season debut tomorrow after missing the first nine games with a knee injury. He had five goals and 33 assists (38 points) in 35 games last season.
This is a positive sign that Letang could be in the lineup on Friday vs. the Islanders.
Letang will miss his ninth straight game tonight. The Penguins play on Friday and Saturday, so with four days off in between games, there is a good chance he will return this weekend.
This is not a good sign that Letang will return to the lineup tonight. It appears he will miss his ninth straight game, but should be ready for the Pens next game on Friday. This isn't for sure, we will update as it becomes available.
The Penguins play at 1 PM EST tomorrow, so expect an official update later today or early tomorrow. If he can't play on Saturday, the Penguins next game is on Monday vs. Colorado.
Letang participated in a full practice yesterday and it was thought that he could be ready today. He could be back in the lineup on Saturday vs. Vancouver.
Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma said that Letang wouldn't be able to return until he participated in a full team practice, so he is nearing a return. Monitor his status during tomorrow's morning skate prior to their game with the Flyers.
Letang said he dealt with some discomfort once he rejoined contact but he can work through it. There is still no timetable for his return, but he is definitely getting close.
