Pittsburgh Penguins Announce Kris Letang And Beau Bennett Cleared To Practice
By Matt Gajtka
Jan 20, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (58) at the face-off circle against the Florida Panthers during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Panthers won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The sting of a lost weekend against the Flyers was lessened when the Pittsburgh Penguins announced defenseman Kris Letang has been cleared to practice with the team.
Coach Dan Bylsma revealed the promising news following the Penguins’ 4-3 loss to Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon at Consol Energy Center.
The 26-year-old Letang has been sidelined since Jan. 27 after suffering a stroke caused by a heart defect. He has been taking blood thinners since receiving the diagnosis in early February, but the Penguins hadn’t indicated they expected him to return this season.
Bylsma said Letang still has some hurdles to clear before getting into games, although last year’s Norris Trophy finalist won’t have any restrictions when it comes to practice. Letang has 10 goals and eight assists in 34 games this season.
Conventional stats aside, the Penguins have struggled possessing the puck since Letang went through his troubling ordeal. The absence of fellow big-minute defenseman Paul Martin (broken hand) has hurt, too, but few players in the NHL have Letang’s two-way ability.
Even before the stroke, the season was a bit of a struggle for Letang, as he tried to adjust to the Penguins’ new defensive approach installed last summer. Still, there’s no doubt Pittsburgh is a more dangerous team with Letang on the ice.
The Pens will also be better off when winger Beau Bennett suits up. The 22-year-old former first-round pick hasn’t played since Nov. 22 with a troublesome broken wrist. Bennett was also declared fit for practice after Sunday’s tilt.
Pittsburgh (44-19-4, 92 points) may have to wait a few more games to get Bennett and Letang back, but there’s a good chance Chris Kunitz (bruised ankle) returns for Tuesday’s home matchup with Dallas. James Neal‘s status remains indefinite after his second concussion in as many seasons.
Kunitz and Neal missed both meetings with the Flyers this weekend.