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NHL analyst names Kris Letang as the most disappointing Penguins player so far this season
Per a compilation from Penguins analyst Adam Gretz, defenseman Kris Letang has been the most disappointing player for the team so far this season.
Even though the Pittsburgh Penguins got off to a much better start than almost anyone would have expected from them this season, they have fallen back down to Earth in a major way in recent weeks.
The Penguins have now lost nine of their last 10 games, which included six straight losses on home ice, now the worst home stand in team history. The usual brilliance of captain Sidney Crosby, who recently became the highest scorer in team history, and a strong showing from Evgeni Malkin have not been enough to keep Pittsburgh from sliding considerably in the standings.
Per a recent ranking by analyst Adam Gretz of the best, most surprising, and most disappointing performances by the players, the longtime teammate of Crosby and Malkin, defenseman Kris Letang, has been the most disappointing player for the Penguins so far this year.
There was always going to come a point in time where the big-three (Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Letang) would begin to slow down. To varying degrees, all of them have.
At least compared to what they were in their peak. But none of them have declined faster and more aggressively than Letang. He has been a difficult watch at times this season and is playing some of the worst hockey of his career. There are not many positives on the Penguins defense this season, but that was to be expected with most of the players that were assembled on that unit. There was still some hope that Letang might be able to provide something of value. Those moments have been few and far between. - Adam Gretz
At least compared to what they were in their peak. But none of them have declined faster and more aggressively than Letang. He has been a difficult watch at times this season and is playing some of the worst hockey of his career. There are not many positives on the Penguins defense this season, but that was to be expected with most of the players that were assembled on that unit. There was still some hope that Letang might be able to provide something of value. Those moments have been few and far between. - Adam Gretz
Letang has dealt with multiple health issues in recent years, including overcoming a pair of strokes as well as undergoing heart surgery during the summer.
Kris Letang's Play Has Declined Considerably
The play of Letang has declined considerably, and things likely won't get any easier for him at age 38.
He's playing in his 20th year in the NHL, all in a Penguins sweater, and even though he's been one of the most key players in all three of Pittsburgh's Stanley Cup wins in 2009, 2016 and 2017, his prime is most assuredly behind him.
Previously on HockeyUnplugged
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 25 | 107 ANSWERS NHL analyst names Kris Letang as the most disappointing Penguins player so far this season Is Kris Letang the most disappointing Penguins player this year? | ||
| Yes | 60 | 56.1 % |
| No | 47 | 43.9 % |
| List of polls | ||