Kris Letang took a hit to the head last night and left the Pens game in the first with an “upper body injury.”
Immediately, commentators began fighting. Some say Letang put himself in a vulnerable position. Others are calling for Eric Nystrom’s suspension. EJ Hradek of NHL Network says:
ESPN’s (former Foxy Friday) John Buccigross disagrees:
By far the best was Milbury and Jeremy Roenick about to take off their earrings and start slapping each other. (Props to Milbury – WHAT?!?!? I know. – for recommending Bylsma tell Pierre to “take off, eh?” for being a tool.) See the video at Deadspin.com [link].
Disco Dan says Kris is “day-to-day” at this point. After the non-committal injury descriptions in hockey, I think DTD is my favorite un-phrase.
As you know (because you counted the days till he was back), Letang missed nearly two months this season after suffering a concussion on November 26. The hit earned Montreal’s Max Paccioretty a 3-game ban, even though the Pens cleared Letang and he returned to play. Almost a week of continuing symptoms later, Kris was finally diagnosed with a concussion.
Since returning to the ice, Kris has been the same BAMF that earned him the most write-in votes of any NHL’er for the 2011 All-Star Game and a spot on that starting lineup. He has 9G/22A on the year, and is credited with raising the game of his d-partner Paul Martin (who is not James Neal’s girlfriend).
The NHL has not announced if Nystrom will have a hearing. So what’s your verdict? Shanabanned or no? Maybe the NHL could introduce a new system of punishment here – using the fans. If hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, you should see how she reacts when you take away her Letang.