Penguins’ Kris Letang confronted by head coach early into season

The Pittsburgh Penguins are certainly doing much better than most insiders and analysts expected at the start of the season, but that’s not the case for all their players.

Defenseman Kris Letang’s slow start, observed in 2024-25, appears to be continuing during the first weeks of this new season. The veteran blue liner has recorded no points in five games, which is a source of concern for head coach Dan Muse.

He revealed Thursday evening that he had “discussions” with the 38-year-old defenseman regarding his performance. He nevertheless praised Letang’s work ethic, as he begins his 20th season with the Penguins.

But sometimes, you have to give some tough love to your veterans.

“You know what you’re going to get from Kris Letang every night,” Muse said of Letang, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “I know that from coaching against him, from watching him play. He’s going to give you everything. The guy, he’s a warrior. That’s what I see.”

I mean, Letang isn’t getting any younger, but continues to play an average of about 22 minutes per game. On Saturday against the New York Rangers, he also sustained an injury that forced him to miss the end of the third period and the next day’s practice. He was nevertheless at his position this week for the California trip and looks to be working hard to improve on the ice.

Letang’s 30 points in 74 games in 2024-25 were his worst full-season offensive output since his rookie year.

The Penguins managed to get a 4-2 win over the Kings in Los Angeles last night, and the hope is that the team’s success will inspire Letang to get on the scoresheet.

The Penguins, who have a 3-2-0 record, will face the San Jose Sharks on Saturday.