September 1, 2026 • 6:02 AM EDT
Updated 3 days ago
It’s almost time for the new NHL season, and the Pittsburgh Penguins are staring down some tough choices before opening night. There’s plenty of interest in which prospects will force their way onto the roster, but the situation on defense is where things get really intriguing if you’re looking to make smart predictions, especially given the shifting roles among veterans like Kris Letang.
Letang, now 39, has been a core part of the Penguins’ blue line for two decades. His offensive production last season wasn’t terrible for his age three goals and 34 points over 74 games but it’s obvious he isn’t quite the two-way force he used to be. The game has gotten faster and Letang’s speed isn’t what it once was, which means his ability to shut down opponents one-on-one or recover on the backcheck has clearly slipped. That’s the kind of trend bettors need to monitor closely, especially when it affects a player with the minutes and responsibility Letang typically draws.
Per Yahoo Sports, Letang played an average of just 21:41 per game last season, nearly two minutes less than the year before. That’s not just about age or declining speed it’s also about ugly stats like leading the Penguins’ defensemen in expected goals against per 60 minutes (3.44), and sporting the worst on-ice expected goals share among the regular rotation. Translation: the Penguins were giving up more scoring chances with Letang on the ice compared to other blueliners getting steady minutes.
It’s not just the numbers, either. Letang didn’t have a steady partner last season, which disrupts chemistry. He had moments where he looked better paired with Brett Kulak and later with Sam Girard. That chemistry matters if you’re wondering whether a veteran can adapt or if the team will keep trusting him when things get tough.
Key developments on the Penguins’ blue line
- Kris Letang is entering his 20th season with the Penguins, but his defensive impact and minutes have declined.
- Erik Karlsson remains a top-pair option, but he’s also 36 and in the final year of his contract potentially a trade chip if things go sideways.
- The Penguins acquired Kaedan Korczak, a younger, unproven right-side defenseman in exchange for Parker Wotherspoon.
- Top defensive prospect Harrison Brunicke could make a push for an NHL spot after impressive previous camps.
- Letang had some late-season chemistry with Sam Girard, taking on a more conservative, supportive role.
- Pittsburgh faces open competition for left-side defense spots, with the right side looking more set, though not without question marks.
Managing Letang’s role why it matters for bettors
If you’re betting futures or individual matchups, you need to ask: how will the Penguins use Letang this year, and how does it shift team performance? There’s a strong case he benefits from fewer minutes, more tailored roles maybe specialized situations or sheltered pairings rather than regular top-four duties. He still thinks the game well but with diminishing quickness, asking him to chase the league’s best forwards in high-pressure moments is riskier than ever. Being realistic about that helps the Penguins avoid nightly mismatches, but it impacts shot props, defensive metrics, and even live betting poise during big games.
Letang isn’t being pushed out of the lineup, but the team’s depth is changing fast. If Brunicke or Korczak pop in camp and force the issue, Letang might slide down the depth chart or even try playing on his off-side. On the other hand, if Karlsson moves (remember, he’s in a contract year), the entire blue line dynamic shifts and veteran experience gets valued differently. In turn, your angle on Penguins props or series prices could change overnight.
Spotlight on chemistry and adaptation
We saw a glimpse of a more calculated, less risky Letang at the end of last season next to Girard. If they keep building on that chemistry, Letang remains valuable, just in a reduced role. He’s got no reason to leave the lineup, but the numbers make it pretty clear you don’t want him taking on primary shutdown minutes anymore.
Bottom line how Letang’s workload affects your plays
- If Letang’s minutes keep dropping, expect his points and defensive stats to decline further not all-time low, but enough to matter for player props.
- The Penguins are set to have camp competition; if Brunicke or Korczak break through, Letang could lose even more ice time, especially in high-leverage situations.
- Karlsson’s contract situation could open up more, not less, for Letang, but only if management doesn’t value youth over experience.
- Letang still has value as a veteran mentor and situational player; don’t count him out, but expect shifting deployment from night to night.
- Bettors should track line combinations and usage closely in the first weeks of the season to get ahead of bookmakers on Letang and the Penguins’ defensive props.
- Injuries or a Karlsson trade would hugely reset expectations, so keep an eye on both as the season unfolds.
More coverage: latest NHL news, NHL analysis and odds and today’s NHL picks.
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