Penguins' Kris Letang suffers stroke after telling trainer something 'didn't feel right'

The six-time All-Star missed the Penguins' 3-2 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday with what was reported as an illness. Letang said Wednesday that prior to being told he had suffered a stroke, he could tell that something didn't seem right with his body.

While he is out indefinitely, he added "I am optimistic that I will be back on the ice soon."

Penguins team reporter Michelle Crechiolo added more details on the situation.

Crechiolo noted that this is Letang's second stroke since joining the Penguins, after he suffered one in 2014. Pittsburgh general manager Ron Hextall said that while this stroke wasn't as serious, there is still no timetable for his return.

The 35-year-old is in his 17th NHL season, all of which have been spent with the Penguins and with fellow stars Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby. Letang agreed to a six-year, $36.6 million contract extension with Pittsburgh over the summer.

The former third-round pick has recorded one goal through 21 games played this season and ranks third on the Penguins in assists (11), trailing only Crosby (19) and Malkin (12). Pittsburgh will host he Vegas Golden Knights at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday.