Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang undergoes surgery to close small hole in his heart
Pittsburgh Penguins’ Kris Letang during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Rangers Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
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: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl