Letang has been out since he suffered a stroke in late January. The Penguins will not will not rush Letang back considering the gravity of his condition, but it sounds like he will be back before the end of the regular season.
This is fantastic news for the Penguins. Earlier in the week there were reports that they don't expect him to be back this season, now he is cleared for full practice. Being cleared for full practice and being cleared to skate is a big difference. Expect Letang to be a full participant this week and if all goes well he could be back soon.
The crucial thing to keep in mind regarding Letang is there remains no time frame for his return. Also, the information on this end is that the Penguins are not expecting him to play again until next season. Letang was in good spirits on Tuesday night while conversing with teammates after the Penguins’ win over Washington. He said he has put on some weight in the past couple of weeks – a good sign given the muscle mass he had dropped during a month of nothing but rest after his stroke.
Rakell was recalled on Thursday and will suit up for his eighth game of the season on Friday vs. the Penguins. In his previous seven games Rakell has one assist. While in Norfolk (AHL), he has registered 14 goals and 23 assists (37 points in 43 games. Rakell was the Ducks' first-round selection (30th overall) in 2011.
Letang will be on blood-thinners for another three weeks, is restricted to light exercise, and is counting on medical evidence that those who suffer strokes at such a young age can resume professional sports careers. Doctors have told Letang there is no reason he cannot resume his hockey career, but they cannot tell him when. “I’m targeting it day-by-day,” he said. “I’m trying to improve every day I come [to the rink]. I try to exercise the best I can. I see doctors pretty much every week, twice a week to get better. So we’ll go from there.”
Nieto suffered an apparent left foot injury blocking a shot late in the second period against the Stars, so John McCarthy has been recalled from Worcester and will play. With Nieto out, Marty Havlat will likely play in a top six role, although it’s uncertain just how the top two lines will be constructed.
The condition is treatable with blood thinners and at this point is not believed to be career threatening. Further testing also revealed that Letang, 26, has had a very small hole in the wall of his heart since birth. This small defect in the wall is present in all individuals before birth but seals shut in most people. It is possible that the hole in the heart led to the stroke. “The most important thing right now, of course, is Kris’ health,” GM Ray Shero said. “We’re not thinking about hockey right now. We want to make sure he gets the best possible care and gets better. After six weeks of treatment, doctors will re-evaluate Kris.”
The reports on Letang's illness have been extremely vague. There is no word on what kind of illness he is dealing with, but he will miss his fourth straight game tomorrow.
Letang will miss his third straight game and will go for further evaluations. Pens head coach Dan Bylsma is not sure whether or not Letang is fighting a serious illness. We should no more after Letang gets more tests done.
Letang has missed the last two games with an illness and his absence this morning suggests that he will not be available for tonight's game either. We will get an update following the skate.
Letang will miss his second consecutive game tonight. He was listed as doubtful so this is not really a surprise. Monitor his status prior to Monday's contest.
Robert Bortuzzo will slide into the lineup with Letang scratched. The Penguins say they will provide an update following tonight's game.
Malkin missed the last nine games with a leg injury, but he will return today vs. the Jets. He will centre his usual line with Jussi Jokinen and James Neal on his wings. Malkin has recorded 41 points (9G / 32A) in 32 games, activate him in all formats.
Malkin will be a game-time decision for this afternoon's matchup with the Jets. The Pens will get Letang back today, so getting Malkin back would be an added bonus. He will be a game-time decision after a nine game absence.
Letang missed the last 10 games with an elbow infection. He was out a little longer than expected, but it is great the Penguins to get their premiere defenseman back today. It has been a troubling year for Letang. He has been battling injuries and has tallied only 11 points (6G / 5A) with a minus-6 rating in 24 games. Expect him to play 20-plus minutes and see tons of power-play time in his return.
Letang was practicing today and took reps with the Penguins top power-play unit which is a positive sign that he could make his return tomorrow. The game starts at one so he will likely be re-evaluated in the morning and head coach Dan Bylsma will address the media a few hours before puck-drop.
Malkin participated in practice this morning and took reps on the Penguins power-play, which is a good sign that he could be available on Sunday. He will likely visit doctors in the morning and a decision will be made shortly after. Monitor his status in the morning as the puck-drops at 1:00 p.m EST.
Malkin was believed to be at least a game-time decision, but he has already been ruled out. Malkin will miss his ninth consecutive game with a leg injury that he suffered on December 14. He does not appear to Jbe too far away from returning to the lineup, so monitor his status following Saturday's morning skate.
The Penguins start 2014 with some great news. Letang has missed the last nine games but his return to practice is a great sign that he is nearing a return from his elbow infection. The Penguins are in action on Friday, monitor Letang's status.
Malkin will miss his eighth straight game today but appears close to returning. He took part in the morning skate once again so he is definitely progressing well. Monitor his status prior to Friday's meeting with the Rangers.
