Mike Sullivan Issues Statement on Kris Letang's Heart Surgery
Photo credit: Sportsnet Pittsburgh
After Penguins defenseman Kris Letang underwent heart surgery, Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan has issued a statement on his condition.
Longtime Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang underwent heart surgery to close a hole in his heart that had previously been discovered to cause a stroke that he suffered in 2014; he's expected to miss the next 4-6 weeks in recovery.
Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan indicated that Letang's surgery was something that had been discussed between Letang and the team medical staff for some time.
This wasn't a reaction to anything from an injury standpoint. This is something that Kris and the medical team have discussed for a long time. Given the circumstance with Kris right now - he's banged up, he's dealing with a lot of bumps and bruises - Collectively, thought as a group, it made the most sense to have the procedure done at this particular time. So, it isn't anything that caused it.
With only a single game left in their year and no chance at the Stanley Cup Playoffs, all parties involved felt that this was the right time to have the procedure done.
It was just something that's an ongoing discussion for a long period of time now, and we just felt this was the opportune time to do it.
Letang, a mainstay on the Penguins blue line since 2007, had 30 points (9G, 21A) in 74 games this year. He's under contract through 2028 with an AAV (average annual value) of $6.1 million.
He's helped the club win the Stanley Cup 3 different times in 2009, 2016 and 2017; he's appeared in 1,161 career NHL games.
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