Penguins D Kris Letang recovering from heart surgery

Field Level Media|published: Wed 16th April, 10:42 2025

NHL: Pittsburgh Penguins at Chicago Blackhawks

Apr 6, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (58) warms up before a game against the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang is recovering from heart surgery, the team announced Wednesday.

Letang, who turns 38 next week, underwent a successful procedure in Pittsburgh on Tuesday to close a small hole in his heart.

The Penguins said the expected recovery time for the 19-year NHL veteran is four to six weeks.

Letang has suffered two strokes during his career, the first in 2014 and another in 2022. He also had surgery last May to repair a broken finger.

Letang recorded 30 points (nine goals, 21 assists) in 74 games this season for the Penguins, who missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the third straight season.

A two-time Stanley Cup champion and two-time All-Star, Letang has recorded 772 points (175 goals, 597 assists) in 1,161 games since Pittsburgh drafted him in the third round in 2005. He ranks third in franchise history in games behind longtime teammates Sidney Crosby (1,351) and Evgeni Malkin (1,212).

--Field Level Media