The Pittsburgh Penguins are facing a bit of uncertainty as two of their longtime cornerstones, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, were held out of practice today. The team didn’t offer much in the way of details, only saying their statuses will be updated tomorrow. But for Penguins fans, the absence of both veterans is enough to raise eyebrows-and maybe a few heart rates.
Let’s start with Malkin. According to reports, the 39-year-old center has been dealing with what appears to be a lingering shoulder issue since December.
He’s been gutting it out, but today’s absence could be a sign that the wear and tear is catching up to him. That said, Malkin’s play hasn’t shown much sign of slowing down.
With 41 points in 39 games, he’s been turning back the clock this season, flashing that elite vision and puck control that’s made him a franchise icon.
Letang’s situation is a bit murkier. There’s no confirmed injury, but his performance in the Penguins’ recent win over the Blackhawks reportedly raised some concerns.
At 38, Letang has seen his role evolve-and in some ways, diminish-as younger blue-liners have stepped up. Still, his leadership and experience on the back end remain critical, especially as the Pens jockey for playoff positioning in a crowded Metropolitan Division.
Any extended absence for either player would be a significant blow. Malkin’s offensive production is still top-tier, and even if Letang isn’t the top-pairing force he once was, he’s still logging meaningful minutes and anchoring the team’s defensive identity.
Pittsburgh currently sits second in the Metro, but the margin for error is razor-thin. Losing one of these vets hurts.
Losing both? That could shift the balance in a hurry.
Around the League:
In Ottawa, there’s a bit of encouraging news on the injury front. Senators center Stephen Halliday, who missed the team’s January 28 matchup against Colorado with an upper-body injury, was back at practice today-albeit in a non-contact jersey.
That’s usually a sign that a player is on the mend but not quite ready for game action. Halliday, just 23, has shown promise in his first NHL stint, putting up 10 points in 21 games while also producing at a high clip in the AHL.
The Senators will be eager to get him back in the lineup as they continue to evaluate their young core.
Meanwhile, in New Jersey, Cody Glass is trending in the right direction. The Devils center didn’t suit up for Thursday’s game against Nashville due to an undisclosed injury, but he’s expected to travel with the team for their upcoming road trip to Ottawa.
That’s a good sign for a player who’s become a steady presence in the middle of the Devils’ lineup. Glass has 13 goals and 18 points through 42 games this season, and his two-way play has been a key part of New Jersey’s depth down the middle.
As the season grinds on, injuries are becoming a bigger part of the conversation across the league. Teams like Pittsburgh, Ottawa, and New Jersey are all feeling it in different ways-but as always, the ability to adapt and get healthy at the right time could make all the difference down the stretch.