Dec 8: Two days later, not only is Letang skating in full equipment but he has returned to practice in a regular jersey. It does not appear as though he will be in the lineup right away, but it is rather incredible that he is able to participate so soon.
Penguins head physician Dr. Dharmesh Vyas explained the process they are going through:
His stroke this time was much smaller than it was last time. His symptoms have resolved a lot quicker than they did the last time as well. We know what to expect – the data has also evolved in terms of how this hole (in his heart) is to be treated.
Certainly it is not the sport that created this problem for him… We don’t think that playing the sport itself is risky for him.
He’s always surprised us with how well he heals. We don’t think this is accelerated in any way, we’re taking all the right precautions to make sure he is safe to go out and play. And when that time comes, we’ll let him go back to playing his sport.
Letang is now listed as day-to-day.
Dec 6: One of the most incredible moments of last week’s press conference discussing Kris Letang’s latest stroke was when Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ron Hextall explained the veteran defenseman asked to skate immediately after being cleared from the hospital. He was on the ice the three days after for a “little twirl,” and has continued to ramp things up since.
This morning, he was on the ice in full equipment with assistant coach Ty Hennes ahead of the team’s morning skate, taking shots and working hard. While the team has been very clear that they will not rush Letang back, it does appear as though he is on the road to recovery.
In 2014, when he suffered his first stroke, it took Letang more than two months to return to the lineup. Hextall explained to reporters like Matt Vensel of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette last week that this time was “much less severe.”
The team is doing well in his absence but now faces a tricky roster situation. Unless they move Letang to long-term injured reserve, which would guarantee he is held out for at least 10 games and 24 days, they don’t have the cap space to make recalls. The team is dealing with several illnesses and had emergency backup goaltender Mike Chiasson on the ice at morning skate.
Playing a game shorthanded would give them the opportunity to bring someone up at no cap hit, but this weekend will be a test either way. The team plays a back-to-back against the Buffalo Sabres starting on Friday night.
This is the Pens’ definition of “not rushing him back”, when it seems very much the opposite. Am I the only one (along with a few other forum members here) not on the team’s payroll who is more concerned with his long-term health and well-being?
Letang knows his condition. I think him and the docs would have had to sign off on this.
@DarkSide830—The phrase “sometimes the player needs to be protected from himself” came to my mind when first reading @Gavin’s article, here, though. This condition is a lot more serious than persistent hangnails. I wouldn’t treat any type of stroke with a nonchalant attitude, as it seems they’re doing now.
Since you are not privy to the conversations, exams, and procedures taking place, to say that they are being nonchalant is nothing but uninformed guessing.
@doghockey—Yes, we are all left to guess at what is going on with his health. Shocker that they (the Pens) are actually obeying medical privacy laws. Some of us will still ask the questions, knowing full well that answers won’t be forthcoming for the foreseeable future. As for that “uninformed guessing” crap, some of us have experience with a couple of types of strokes–firsthand–making it “informed” speculation.
Ehh I use to work with a guy who I watched as we worked have a stroke on a Friday and was back at work on Tuesday like nothing even happened.
Strokes are not always a one size fits all type of deal like most medical situations.
@I wander off—My cousin knows a couple of people like that too. I know of a lady in town who had a stroke and had to wear a panic button. My mom’s best friend had a stroke, but passed away about six months later. My mom had a stroke, and passed away after less than a week in ICU. Strokes aren’t something to mess around with. The penalty could end up being a premature funeral because “the last two or three were nothing—he was doing cartwheels an hour after leaving the hospital.”
1st)
Sorry to hear about the losses of loved ones
2) No strokes are not anything to mess with if.
But it is nice to know he is able to get out and skate even if by him self so he can keep a bit of normal to help ease the mind
@I wander off—That is something we can agree on, him being able to use the skating as mental health therapy. It’s critical for him to help get back to some sense of normalcy.
Ah, and there it is. You pretend to know the situation, get backed into a corner, then break out the “firsthand” card. Nice try. You know nothing about this situation so your claims of the involved parties being nonchalant is uninformed. Stop already.
@doghockey—I decline your invitation. I’m not backed into any corner, either.
You have to hope that the cause of the stroke was something minor and easily corrected with a procedure or medication, because if not, then he would be placing his life at potential risk and I’m not a fan of that obviously.
@madmanTX—They’ve stated it’s a congenital condition, but why wasn’t it corrected before? It was seen then with the warranted seriousness that you’d expect of any type of stroke. But what has changed for the positive since that first episode? Did the hole somehow heal itself, or was a medical procedure done that we’re not privy to? I’d hate, like you, to see him put at unnecessary risk, because of a potential lack of thoroughness in this situation.
Has anyone else noticed that since Letang has been out there are no more 2 on 1’s or 3 on 2’s.. coincidence?? I don’t think so..
It was reported that Kris wanted to skate on his own 2 days after the stroke, (last Wed., I believe) and the Pens said “NO”. Does he really know his own body, or just what he wants?
Stroke, schloke……he’s a hockey player, of course he’s back already! :)