Madden Monday: A theory on why Penguins’ Kris Letang has been more tempered in his approach
When speaking about Penguins defenseman Kris Letang, his propensity to take chances and gamble at inopportune times is usually only outweighed by his stubborn defense of his own style.
Not in 2021, though. At least not since the Penguins have been saddled with so many injuries to their forward group.
Since the run on injuries to the likes of Evgeni Malkin, Jason Zucker, Teddy Blueger, Kasperi Kapanen and Brandon Tanev for various stretches of March, Letang’s game has been measured. Steady. Efficient. Balanced. Dare we even say … prudent?
In other words, unlike Letang.
Between March 2 and April 1, the Penguins won 13 times in 17 tries. Letang’s responsible pace went a long way toward those results. He tallied two goals and 12 assists in that span and was a plus-13. From March 2 until March 29, the sometimes-hot-tempered Letang also managed to only absorb six penalty minutes.
How has this all come to pass? Maybe a light has finally come on for Letang. Or maybe he is trying to be extra thoughtful knowing that the margins are so thin given the rocky health of his team and the need to gather as many points as possible in a jam-packed East Division.
Or maybe with so many skilled forwards on the shelf, Letang hasn’t seen many opportunities to make plays. So why take the risks, right?
I tend to think there is a little bit of truth in all of those ideas. But during this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, our Mark Madden advanced a different notion that may add another layer.
It has to do with what new general manager Ron Hextall and president of hockey operations Brian Burke may be thinking about Letang’s future in Pittsburgh.
“I give Letang a lot of credit,” Madden said. “He has tempered his game a great deal. And part of me thinks that might be because he understands that Hextall and Burke are looking at (if) guys can conform to what their vision of a hockey player is. And I think Letang is doing that by — not abandoning his offensive instincts — but being a bit more conservative. And a bit more cognizant of score and situation.
“Because I don’t think (Letang) wants to go anywhere. I think he wants to finish his career here.”
Madden adds he’s less likely to believe Malkin will be quite as on board with that way of thinking when he comes back. And if something is going to upset the apple cart moving forward for the suddenly resurgent Pens, Malkin’s approach may be the X-factor.
Also during the podcast, Madden and I discuss if stubbornness may be an issue for head coach Mike Sullivan as well. Mike Matheson, Cody Ceci, Tristan Jarry’s injury and Casey DeSmith’s play all come up in conversation, too.
Plus, we get into the Steelers’ upcoming draft strategy, the great Gonzaga-UCLA game, no-hitters getting cut off in the sixth inning and more.
Including Mark’s review of the new Bob Odenkirk movie, “Nobody.”
Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via X. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.
Remove the ads from your TribLIVE reading experience but still support the journalists who create the content with TribLIVE Ad-Free.