Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports

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

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 11/30/22

Pittsburgh Penguins star defenseman Kris Letang is being sidelined indefinitely after suffering a stroke on Monday.

Kris Letang is out indefinitely after suffering a stroke on Monday.

Letang is not experiencing any lasting effects of the stroke and will continue to undergo a series of tests over the next week. https://t.co/dQeKuhrBH2
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) November 30, 2022

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.

Letang called head athletic trainer Chris Stewart on Monday, saying he had a migraine and that something didn't feel right. At that point, head team physician Dr. Dharmesh Vyas said he needed to go to the hospital immediately, where tests revealed he had a stroke.
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) November 30, 2022

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.

His condition is not believed to be career threatening. He missed over two months due to a stroke in 2014, and during that time period, testing revealed that he was born with a very small hole in the wall of his heart. https://t.co/nVKgmi5aJA
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) November 30, 2022

Hextall said that right now, everything is looking as positive as it can be, and this stroke is much less severe than the one Letang suffered in 2014. "I'm shocked at how well he's doing emotionally." Added with a smile, "He was talking last night about, when can I skate?”
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) November 30, 2022

Hextall said right now, there is truly no timeline for Letang. "First and foremost, this is about the person. I told Tanger that last night," Hextall said. "The hockey player and Pittsburgh Penguin, that’s secondary."
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) November 30, 2022

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.

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