Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang suffered a stroke last week, and is out of action indefinitely. However, the silver lining was that the Penguins have stated that his condition isn't believed to be career threatening, much less life threatening. The team also announced that he wasn't feeling and lasting effects of the stroke and will continue to undergo a series of tests.
What's even better is that Letang has been able to stick by his teammates, and has even skated on his own earlier today at PPG Paints Arena.
“It’s been great just having him around the room,” Brian Dumoulin said. “It’s good to see that he can get up, move around. Still come to the rink and see us and still interact with us.”
“He’s been there since I first started,” Dumoulin said. “We’ve grown together and played a lot together.”
Despite not being able to play or having a specific timetable as to a return to action or even a routine practice, having the veteran presence of Letang is a huge boost for the team.
“I think it’s great for the guys,” head coach Mike Sullivan said. “They’re more than just teammates, they’re close friends. He’s part of the social fabric of the locker room.”
“Just his presence is good for all of us,” Sullivan said. “Everyone sees how well he’s doing. It’s also good for Kris to be around the group. I look at it as a win on both sides.”