There are two uncomfortable possibilities for the Pittsburgh Penguins: either Kris Letang’s previous injury issue is lingering or he suffered a new one on Saturday night.
Specific cause aside, Letang is being held out of tonight’s game against the Winnipeg Jets as a precautionary measure.
Apparently he didn’t feel too great this morning.
Kris Letang is out tonight vs WPG, per #Pens Coach Sullivan. Wasn't feeling great this morning. Precautionary hold out.
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 27, 2015
One specific moment of concern was a hit by Jarret Stoll, which may have left Letang stunned (but didn’t keep him from contributing to a 3-1 win against the Minnesota Wild).
The Score has a GIF of the hit here, which Stoll explained away to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune’s Michael Russo.
Stoll on Letang hit: "I thought I hit him in the shoulder. I have a lot of respect for him & I know he has concussion problems in the past"
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) December 27, 2015
Russo reports that supplemental discipline is unlikely.
Either way, this continues a disturbing pattern for Letang, as he’s faced recurring issues, especially when it comes to concussions.