Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Dan Muse Shares Update on Penguins Star's Lower-Body Injury

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Oct 13, 2025 12:15 PM ET

The Pittsburgh Penguins are monitoring Kris Letang’s status after the veteran defenseman missed Sunday’s practice with a lower-body injury suffered during Saturday’s loss to the New York Rangers.

Letang, 38, left the game early in the third period after colliding with the boards on a failed check attempt. The team later listed him as day-to-day.

The blueliner has yet to record a point through three games this season, but holds a plus-three rating while averaging over 21 minutes of ice time per night.

On Sunday, head coach Dan Muse revealed that Letang will travel with the Penguins for their upcoming three-game road trip to California, which includes games against the Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, and San Jose Sharks.

Muse said Letang (lower body, day-to-day) will be traveling with the team. Hayes, who was injured on Day 1 of camp, is also making the trip. McGroarty (upper body) is not. Both Hayes and McGroarty are status quo. "They're progressing, but still multiple steps."
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) October 12, 2025

Muse described the defenseman’s condition as “progressing,” but emphasized that recovery remains ongoing exiting the weekend.

“Kevin (Letang) will be traveling,” Muse said. “Right now, both guys are still considered status quo. They’re progressing and things are moving along, but there are still multiple steps ahead in the process.”

Muse declined to say whether the news was viewed as encouraging, but acknowledged it had been less than 24 hours since the injury occurred.

The coach added that both Letang and forward Kevin Hayes, who is also nursing an upper-body issue, are expected to be evaluated throughout the West Coast trip.

Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry (35) and center Sidney Crosby (87) and defenseman Kris Letang (58) celebrate after defeating the New Jersey Devils at PPG Paints Arena. Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Letang is playing his 20th NHL season in a U.S. sports-first alongside Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. The blueliner continues to play a central role behind Erik Karlsson on Pittsburgh’s defense, slotted as the Penguins' second-line, right-side defenseman.

Should Letang be unavailable for Tuesday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks, the Penguins could turn to one of their veteran right-shot defensemen, Matt Dumba or Connor Clifton, both acquired last offseason.

Pittsburgh (1–2–0) will open its California swing Tuesday against Anaheim at 10:30 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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