Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Random Letang quote about the Pens Power Play
Letang, though, pointed out that skill isn't the only variable at work on power plays.
"Some nights, it's just a question of bounces," he said. "The goalie can be really good. ... Sometimes you get stuck on the [boards] the whole power play, because they're pressuring you, [or] you have a bouncing puck and can't get control of it.
"And some nights, it's flat on your stick the whole time, and you have time and space to make plays."
Rest of the article and the source:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10362/1113909-61.stm?cmpid=penguins.xml
"Some nights, it's just a question of bounces," he said. "The goalie can be really good. ... Sometimes you get stuck on the [boards] the whole power play, because they're pressuring you, [or] you have a bouncing puck and can't get control of it.
"And some nights, it's flat on your stick the whole time, and you have time and space to make plays."
Rest of the article and the source:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10362/1113909-61.stm?cmpid=penguins.xml
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Marc Andre Fleury on Kris Letang
A Marc Andre Fleury interview and he talked about Kris Letang's emergence as a hockey player.
On the blue line, Kristopher Letang has also been having quite a start, with 23 points (5 goals, 18 assists) in 26 games. How do you explain his emergence?
"There are several factors. First off, he is getting more ice time since the departure of Sergei Gonchar. And he’s now on the first power play unit.
I also believe that he has more confidence in his talent, he is less hesitant to join the attack. He has simply gained in experience and maturity. Kris has always had good skating ability, good vision, and a good shot. He’s using these assets better now."
Source
http://www.pensburgh.com/2010/12/2/1850066/marc-andre-fleury-q-a-with-radio-canada-translated
On the blue line, Kristopher Letang has also been having quite a start, with 23 points (5 goals, 18 assists) in 26 games. How do you explain his emergence?
"There are several factors. First off, he is getting more ice time since the departure of Sergei Gonchar. And he’s now on the first power play unit.
I also believe that he has more confidence in his talent, he is less hesitant to join the attack. He has simply gained in experience and maturity. Kris has always had good skating ability, good vision, and a good shot. He’s using these assets better now."
Source
http://www.pensburgh.com/2010/12/2/1850066/marc-andre-fleury-q-a-with-radio-canada-translated
Monday, December 27, 2010
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Kris Letang's Playlist
Songs Artists
Wherever I May Roam Metallica
Sad but True Metallica
Around the World Red Hot Chilli Peppers
For When The Bell Tolls Metallica
Welcome Home (Sanitarium) Metallica
Freak on a Leash Korn
Falling Away From Me Korn
The Beautiful People Marilyn Manson
Billie Jean Michael Jackson
Bullet Proof La Roux
Forever Drake
Good Life Kanye West
She Wolf Shakira
Master of Puppets Metallica
Source
http://penguins.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=58431
Wherever I May Roam Metallica
Sad but True Metallica
Around the World Red Hot Chilli Peppers
For When The Bell Tolls Metallica
Welcome Home (Sanitarium) Metallica
Freak on a Leash Korn
Falling Away From Me Korn
The Beautiful People Marilyn Manson
Billie Jean Michael Jackson
Bullet Proof La Roux
Forever Drake
Good Life Kanye West
She Wolf Shakira
Master of Puppets Metallica
Source
http://penguins.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=58431
Friday, December 24, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Kris's scoring streak
I was just gonna say that Mr Kris seems to be a madman on the ice with all this scoring he is doing lately!!!!!!!! Keep up the amazing job Kris from all your fans all over the world!!!!!!!!!! You Rock number 58!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Kris Letang interview 1st period intermission 12/20/10
Found this beauty on Youtube!!! Gotta love Youtube!!! LOL
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
Random Kris article I found thanks to Tumblr
Pittsburgh's Letang blossoming into elite blueliner
When the Pittsburgh Penguins drafted defenseman Kris Letang in the third round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft - the same draft they took superstar center Sidney Crosby with the top overall pick - they thought they were getting a mobile, puck-moving defenseman who would transition well into the new, speed-oriented, post-lockout NHL.
What they have is a whole lot more.
The Montreal native, in his fourth season in Pittsburgh, is quickly cementing himself as not only a top-pair guy at the NHL level, but a Norris Trophy contender.
"It's a long season. We are in December, so we aren't going to get too excited for that," a sheepish Letang told The Sports Network when asked about his thoughts on being an early season challenger for the award given to the NHL's top defenseman.
While Letang's personality might appear to be on the meek side, his game is anything but.
He is developing into a reliable two-way defenseman who has the speed and skill to join the rush, as well as a sound defensive game with just the right amount of physicality for his 6-foot, 200-pound frame.
Letang, just 23-years-old, has seen his game grow leaps and bounds since he began his professional career in 2006 with a seven-game stint with the Penguins before heading back to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for the remainder of that season. He played 10 games in the AHL the following season before being called up to the NHL for good by Pittsburgh.
"I think when they got me here they only saw my offensive game," Letang said. "I really focused on my game when I was in the American League. When I came up, I really focused on my game defensively and without the puck, with my stick.
Letang hasn't always realized the importance of two-way play, however. During the 2005-2006 junior season, he posted an eye-popping 25 goals and 43 assists but was just a plus-four in the defensive category.
"He's a guy whose mindset ... if he had his choice I think he'd be a forward if he could do it all over again," Brooks Orpik, Letang's defense-partner for most of the season, told The Sports Network.
But after his brief stop in Pittsburgh in 2006, Letang returned to juniors, scored nine fewer goals and 16 fewer points, but was a plus-19, an early sign of his commitment to getting better in his own end.
Letang was a minus player in his first two seasons in Pittsburgh before finishing last season with a modest plus-one rating. This season - the first of a four-year, $14 million contract extension - while playing on the Penguins' top defensive pairing with Orpik, Letang is thriving at both ends of the rink.
"I think it's all coming together right now," Letang said.
That's a fair statement, considering the French Canadian is among the league leaders in two key categories for defensemen - points and plus/minus. Currently, he has tallied 27 points and a plus-17 rating, good for second among defenseman in scoring and fifth in plus/minus.
"I think the biggest change in him is knowing when to take chances and picking his spots," Orpik said. "If we have a 2-0 lead, it's a lot different than if we are trailing by two goals in the third period, and we have to create offense. I think the situational awareness and consistency are his biggest improvements."
Letang has also improved at getting his shot on net, something he previously failed to do consistently at the NHL level. As a result, he is getting more points - he is currently just six off his career high of 33 in a season - and gaining more confidence.
"That's something I think he worked on over the summer, and maybe it's more of a focus thing," Orpik said. "He's getting a lot more of his shots on net. He's got a good shot. That's one of the hardest things now the way teams defend. You aren't only trying to get it through the first guy, but you have three or four guys trying to block the shot."
"Sometimes I take something off the shot [to get more accuracy]," Letang said. "I think I'm moving way better on the blueline than I used to as well. I used to look for the big shot, but now I'm just moving and creating some lanes, and I see the ice way more than I used to."
Letang is being given more responsibility this season not only because of the big contract extension, but also the departure of Sergie Gonchar to Ottawa in the offseason, and he is thriving.
"He's a completely different player than Gonchar," Orpik said. "Power play- wise, you weren't going to replace Gonchar, but he's had more opportunity and is taking advantage."
"There are a lot of things to improve, I don't think I'm at my best right now," Letang said.
Good news for Pittsburgh, bad news for the rest of the NHL.
Source
http://www.kansascity.com/2010/12/15/2523165/pittsburghs-letang-blossoming.html#ixzz18Kqm8slY
When the Pittsburgh Penguins drafted defenseman Kris Letang in the third round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft - the same draft they took superstar center Sidney Crosby with the top overall pick - they thought they were getting a mobile, puck-moving defenseman who would transition well into the new, speed-oriented, post-lockout NHL.
What they have is a whole lot more.
The Montreal native, in his fourth season in Pittsburgh, is quickly cementing himself as not only a top-pair guy at the NHL level, but a Norris Trophy contender.
"It's a long season. We are in December, so we aren't going to get too excited for that," a sheepish Letang told The Sports Network when asked about his thoughts on being an early season challenger for the award given to the NHL's top defenseman.
While Letang's personality might appear to be on the meek side, his game is anything but.
He is developing into a reliable two-way defenseman who has the speed and skill to join the rush, as well as a sound defensive game with just the right amount of physicality for his 6-foot, 200-pound frame.
Letang, just 23-years-old, has seen his game grow leaps and bounds since he began his professional career in 2006 with a seven-game stint with the Penguins before heading back to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for the remainder of that season. He played 10 games in the AHL the following season before being called up to the NHL for good by Pittsburgh.
"I think when they got me here they only saw my offensive game," Letang said. "I really focused on my game when I was in the American League. When I came up, I really focused on my game defensively and without the puck, with my stick.
Letang hasn't always realized the importance of two-way play, however. During the 2005-2006 junior season, he posted an eye-popping 25 goals and 43 assists but was just a plus-four in the defensive category.
"He's a guy whose mindset ... if he had his choice I think he'd be a forward if he could do it all over again," Brooks Orpik, Letang's defense-partner for most of the season, told The Sports Network.
But after his brief stop in Pittsburgh in 2006, Letang returned to juniors, scored nine fewer goals and 16 fewer points, but was a plus-19, an early sign of his commitment to getting better in his own end.
Letang was a minus player in his first two seasons in Pittsburgh before finishing last season with a modest plus-one rating. This season - the first of a four-year, $14 million contract extension - while playing on the Penguins' top defensive pairing with Orpik, Letang is thriving at both ends of the rink.
"I think it's all coming together right now," Letang said.
That's a fair statement, considering the French Canadian is among the league leaders in two key categories for defensemen - points and plus/minus. Currently, he has tallied 27 points and a plus-17 rating, good for second among defenseman in scoring and fifth in plus/minus.
"I think the biggest change in him is knowing when to take chances and picking his spots," Orpik said. "If we have a 2-0 lead, it's a lot different than if we are trailing by two goals in the third period, and we have to create offense. I think the situational awareness and consistency are his biggest improvements."
Letang has also improved at getting his shot on net, something he previously failed to do consistently at the NHL level. As a result, he is getting more points - he is currently just six off his career high of 33 in a season - and gaining more confidence.
"That's something I think he worked on over the summer, and maybe it's more of a focus thing," Orpik said. "He's getting a lot more of his shots on net. He's got a good shot. That's one of the hardest things now the way teams defend. You aren't only trying to get it through the first guy, but you have three or four guys trying to block the shot."
"Sometimes I take something off the shot [to get more accuracy]," Letang said. "I think I'm moving way better on the blueline than I used to as well. I used to look for the big shot, but now I'm just moving and creating some lanes, and I see the ice way more than I used to."
Letang is being given more responsibility this season not only because of the big contract extension, but also the departure of Sergie Gonchar to Ottawa in the offseason, and he is thriving.
"He's a completely different player than Gonchar," Orpik said. "Power play- wise, you weren't going to replace Gonchar, but he's had more opportunity and is taking advantage."
"There are a lot of things to improve, I don't think I'm at my best right now," Letang said.
Good news for Pittsburgh, bad news for the rest of the NHL.
Source
http://www.kansascity.com/2010/12/15/2523165/pittsburghs-letang-blossoming.html#ixzz18Kqm8slY
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Engelland fight but Tanger can be seen too :)
Source
http://www.thepensblog.com/pensblog-news/recaps/recap-247-episode-1.html
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Letang Game Day interview 12-14-10
This picture is from today's practice from what the Pens website says. Enjoy!!!
On if he’ll take the time to sit down and really watch Wednesday’s premiere:
I’m interested to see what it’s going to look like on the screen. I’m wondering how it’s going to come out, and if I do anything stupid on there. There’s a lot of people that are going to watch, so I want to see it.
On if he’s curious to see what goes on in Washington:
Yeah, I want to see what they do in other places. I’ve only played in Pittsburgh in my career, so I want to know how it happens in other dressing rooms.
On if they can keep the streak rolling against the Flyers:
It’s going to be a tough game. They’re playing really well, they’re only one point behind us. It’s a game for first place. It’s going to be like a playoff game. They don’t like us, we don’t like them, so it’s going to be a good game.
On if it’s more intense with the rivalry:
Yeah, the rivalry is really important. It’s really big here. I think it’s just going to bring more hype to the game, the fact that we’re playing for first place.
On how the Penguins’ playoff run last season is helping him now:
Every year after the playoffs, I’ve sat down with the coaches, and they really want me to bring the type of game that I bring (to the playoffs). The physical play, playing hard in my zone, not being afraid to shoot. In the playoffs, you score a lot of scrappy goals. You go to the front (of the net), you tip one, it goes off a shinpad. They want me to play like that, and I think I came with that mentality this year.
Source
http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=546288&navid=DL|PIT|home
On if he’ll take the time to sit down and really watch Wednesday’s premiere:
I’m interested to see what it’s going to look like on the screen. I’m wondering how it’s going to come out, and if I do anything stupid on there. There’s a lot of people that are going to watch, so I want to see it.
On if he’s curious to see what goes on in Washington:
Yeah, I want to see what they do in other places. I’ve only played in Pittsburgh in my career, so I want to know how it happens in other dressing rooms.
On if they can keep the streak rolling against the Flyers:
It’s going to be a tough game. They’re playing really well, they’re only one point behind us. It’s a game for first place. It’s going to be like a playoff game. They don’t like us, we don’t like them, so it’s going to be a good game.
On if it’s more intense with the rivalry:
Yeah, the rivalry is really important. It’s really big here. I think it’s just going to bring more hype to the game, the fact that we’re playing for first place.
On how the Penguins’ playoff run last season is helping him now:
Every year after the playoffs, I’ve sat down with the coaches, and they really want me to bring the type of game that I bring (to the playoffs). The physical play, playing hard in my zone, not being afraid to shoot. In the playoffs, you score a lot of scrappy goals. You go to the front (of the net), you tip one, it goes off a shinpad. They want me to play like that, and I think I came with that mentality this year.
Source
http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=546288&navid=DL|PIT|home
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Randomness Letang
Letang thanks fans
Kris Letang figures perhaps some people from his hometown of Montreal or maybe fans in other NHL areas have been voting for him for the All-Star Game, but he is sure it's mostly Penguins faithful.
"I want to thank them for their support," said Letang who, three weeks into the voting, has moved to the top spot among defensemen despite being a write-in candidate.
"I've always said Pittsburgh has the best fans in the world."
Source
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10343/1109445-61.stm?cmpid=sports.xml
****KRIS SHOULD KNOW HE HAS FANS ALL OVER****
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Pittsburgh Penguins Getting Their Money's Worth With Kris Letang
Pittsburgh Penguins General Manager Ray Shero is really good at getting quality players for good deals. Well I think it's safe to say that he got the Penguins another bargain when he signed defenseman Kris Letang to a new deal this past March. Letang was signed to a four-year contract extension that runs through the 2013-14 season with the Penguins worth an annual $3.5 million.
When Letang for made his debut, many fans and critics were skeptical of his game. He took some big risks on the ice and often left his defense out to dry when he tried to join the rush. He was often criticized for being out of position and being careless with the puck.
My how things have changed. Letang is having a huge 2010-2011 season so far, second to Atlanta's Dustin Byfuglien in terms of points by a defensman with 26 points. Letang already has more goals than he did last season with five, and is on pace to have 14 goals and 74 points this year.
Letang's offensive performance can't be underestimated considering that they cut ties with Sergei Gonchar, was a very good offensive defenseman for the Penguins the last three years. Letang has not been as strong as Gonchar on the power-play, having just seven power-play points. But Letang has replaced Gonchar as far as a strong offensive presence on the blue-line for the Pens.
The most impressive thing about Letang is the amount of confidence he seems to have on the ice. Now he seems to have an understanding of when it's ok to take certain risks on the ice in terms of joining the rush. He's become so comfortable on the ice that his playing time continues to increase. Letang is now averaging over 21 minutes of ice time per game and is often on the ice when the opposing team has their top line on the ice.
Pens' fans aren't the only ones noticing Letang's play. ESPN currently has him as the top contender for the Norris Trophy, which is given to the NHL"s best defenseman at the end of the season. Letang is also the top vote getter for the 2010-2011 NHL All-Star game for defensemen, which is really impressive being that he wasn't even on the ballot, you literally had to write his name for to vote for him.
It's not all Letang though, the Pens defense as a core has been very impressive this year, especially during this ten game win streak. Brooks Orpik, Letangs partner on defense, should also be given some credit for Letang's breakout season. Orpik is a very tough, and smart defensmen, who often covers for Letang, allowing Letang to join the offensive rush.
At just the age of 23, it's Letang's play seems even more impressive. His potential seems sky high and Letang could very well develop into one of the best offensive defensemen of his era. Here's hoping.
Source
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/537900-pittsburgh-penguins-getting-their-moneys-worth-with-kris-letang
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Letang Leads All-Star Game D-Men; Sid Still Top Vote-Getter
NHL fans have taken notice of Kris Letang's sensational start to the season, and have rewarded the Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman with a rocket-ride up the All-Star voting standings.
Letang, whose 26 points are second among all NHL defensemen, has jumped to first in All-Star fan balloting among blueliners for the 2011 All-Star Game presented by Discover, moving past a pair of future Hall of Famers and the defending Norris Trophy winner in the process.
2011 NHL All-Star Game
Letang picked up nearly 95,000 votes in a week to move from fourth to first, passing the Flyers' Chris Pronger, the Red Wings' Nicklas Lidstrom and the Blackhawks' Duncan Keith in the process. Letang's 210,807 votes are second among all players.
The 2011 All-Star Game will feature the Ultimate Fantasy Draft this year, where the All-Stars will pick their own teams from a pool of 42 players. Fans can vote six players into that pool -- the top three forwards, two defenseman and goaltender from fan balloting will be guaranteed a roster spot at this year's game, which will be hosted by the Carolina Hurricanes.
Pronger garnered enough votes to hold onto the second defense spot behind Letang in voting totals released today by the NHL. The Penguins' Sidney Crosby, the Blackhawks' Jonathan Toews and the Lightning's Steven Stamkos, and Canadiens goalie Carey Price retained their spots from last week's voting.
Crosby, the NHL's leading scorer, maintained his sizable lead at forward. His picked up more than 101,000 votes since last week, increasing his total to 319,809, the most among all players. Toews holds a 5,000-vote lead on Stamkos for third, with Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin a surprising fourth.
Ovechkin hasn't been the explosive goal-scorer fans are used to -- he has just 12 in 29 games -- but he's third in the League with 35 points and is on pace for a career-best 65 assists. He trails Stamkos, the League's second-leading scorer, by more than 22,000 votes. However, with the well-known passion of Caps fans -- as well as three more weeks to sway the voters -- it's possible Ovechkin could jump into the top three.
The Penguins' Evgeni Malkin is fifth, followed by the Blackhawks' Patrick Kane, Flyers captain Mike Richards, the Canadiens' Michael Cammalleri, Flyers forward Claude Giroux and Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk.
Giroux, with 147,993, leads all write-in candidates at the position.
Pronger, who was second to Keith last week, now leads him by more than 5,800 votes after picking up 57,000-plus votes since last week. Lidstrom, the six-time Norris Trophy winner for the Red Wings, trails Keith by just under 10,000 votes.
Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen is fifth, followed by Canadiens rookie P.K. Subban, the Blackhawks' Brent Seabrook, the Kings' Drew Doughty, Mike Green of the Capitals and Brian Rafalski of the Red Wings. The Thrashers' Dustin Byfuglien, who leads all defensemen in goals and points, is 11th in the voting.
Price, whose 209,025 votes are third among all players, continues to hold a substantial lead on Flyers rookie Sergei Bobrovsky. Price leads the League with 16 wins, and ranks in top five among goaltenders in goals-against average (1.96, fifth), save percentage (.935, third) and shutouts (four, second), is about 40,000 votes ahead of the Philadelphia rookie.
Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury is third, but he's narrowed the gap between him and Bobrovsky to just over 17,000 votes, from 24,000-plus last week.
The Bruins' Tim Thomas is fourth, the Blues' Jaroslav Halak is fifth; last week, those positions were reversed.
Fan balloting runs through Jan. 3, 2011, at Vote.NHL.com.
Source
http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=545637&navid=DL|PIT|home
Letang, whose 26 points are second among all NHL defensemen, has jumped to first in All-Star fan balloting among blueliners for the 2011 All-Star Game presented by Discover, moving past a pair of future Hall of Famers and the defending Norris Trophy winner in the process.
2011 NHL All-Star Game
Letang picked up nearly 95,000 votes in a week to move from fourth to first, passing the Flyers' Chris Pronger, the Red Wings' Nicklas Lidstrom and the Blackhawks' Duncan Keith in the process. Letang's 210,807 votes are second among all players.
The 2011 All-Star Game will feature the Ultimate Fantasy Draft this year, where the All-Stars will pick their own teams from a pool of 42 players. Fans can vote six players into that pool -- the top three forwards, two defenseman and goaltender from fan balloting will be guaranteed a roster spot at this year's game, which will be hosted by the Carolina Hurricanes.
Pronger garnered enough votes to hold onto the second defense spot behind Letang in voting totals released today by the NHL. The Penguins' Sidney Crosby, the Blackhawks' Jonathan Toews and the Lightning's Steven Stamkos, and Canadiens goalie Carey Price retained their spots from last week's voting.
Crosby, the NHL's leading scorer, maintained his sizable lead at forward. His picked up more than 101,000 votes since last week, increasing his total to 319,809, the most among all players. Toews holds a 5,000-vote lead on Stamkos for third, with Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin a surprising fourth.
Ovechkin hasn't been the explosive goal-scorer fans are used to -- he has just 12 in 29 games -- but he's third in the League with 35 points and is on pace for a career-best 65 assists. He trails Stamkos, the League's second-leading scorer, by more than 22,000 votes. However, with the well-known passion of Caps fans -- as well as three more weeks to sway the voters -- it's possible Ovechkin could jump into the top three.
The Penguins' Evgeni Malkin is fifth, followed by the Blackhawks' Patrick Kane, Flyers captain Mike Richards, the Canadiens' Michael Cammalleri, Flyers forward Claude Giroux and Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk.
Giroux, with 147,993, leads all write-in candidates at the position.
Pronger, who was second to Keith last week, now leads him by more than 5,800 votes after picking up 57,000-plus votes since last week. Lidstrom, the six-time Norris Trophy winner for the Red Wings, trails Keith by just under 10,000 votes.
Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen is fifth, followed by Canadiens rookie P.K. Subban, the Blackhawks' Brent Seabrook, the Kings' Drew Doughty, Mike Green of the Capitals and Brian Rafalski of the Red Wings. The Thrashers' Dustin Byfuglien, who leads all defensemen in goals and points, is 11th in the voting.
Price, whose 209,025 votes are third among all players, continues to hold a substantial lead on Flyers rookie Sergei Bobrovsky. Price leads the League with 16 wins, and ranks in top five among goaltenders in goals-against average (1.96, fifth), save percentage (.935, third) and shutouts (four, second), is about 40,000 votes ahead of the Philadelphia rookie.
Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury is third, but he's narrowed the gap between him and Bobrovsky to just over 17,000 votes, from 24,000-plus last week.
The Bruins' Tim Thomas is fourth, the Blues' Jaroslav Halak is fifth; last week, those positions were reversed.
Fan balloting runs through Jan. 3, 2011, at Vote.NHL.com.
Source
http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=545637&navid=DL|PIT|home
Thursday, December 2, 2010
New Article about Letang for the All Star game
Letang's Comfort, Confidence Resulting In a Strong Start
Kris Letang has gotten off to an incredible start this season, and everyone’s noticing.
A total of 115,862 fans have taken the initiative to add the 23-year-old defenseman’s name on the ballot for the 2011 NHL All-Star Game. That’s good for the third-highest total among write-in candidates and fourth overall among blueliners.
“It means a lot,” Letang said of the recognition he’s been given. “I know we have the greatest fans in hockey in Pittsburgh. Just to have them on your side and pushing on your back, it’s big. You feel very comfortable.”
Letang is tied for second in scoring among NHL defensemen with 23 points (5G-18A). He also ranks second in team scoring behind captain Sidney Crosby and owns a plus-12 rating, tied for seventh in the league.
What’s impressive about the numbers Letang is putting up is that he’s getting them while being used as a No. 1-shutdown defenseman against other teams’ top lines. What’s scary is that he still has plenty of untapped potential.
“The biggest thing you notice is just how talented he is, how much skill he has, how good of a player he is,” defenseman Paul Martin said. “And still you see the potential, he can even be better. He’s having a good year and is still recognizing certain situations when he can take chances and when he can’t. He’s been fun to watch, and he’s only going to get better.”
Last season, it took Letang 73 games to record 23 points (3G-20A). He’s already tied that mark just 26 games in, and his defense partner Brooks Orpik says Letang’s points have been coming when he focuses on making the smart play first.
A prime example of this came in Pittsburgh’s 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames on Nov. 27. Letang jumpstarted the second goal when he laid a big hit on Calgary’s Olli Jokinen in the corner to separate him from the puck and proceeded to make a heads-up pass to Chris Kunitz, who led a scoring rush.
“I think when he plays his best his mindset going into games is to defend well,” Orpik said. “I think if he concentrates on playing defense, his offensive game just kind of comes to him naturally ... He’s definitely made a lot of strides this year with that. He’d probably tell you he still has a long way to go.”
Letang’s confidence and consistency didn’t happen overnight. He’s always had the skills, but admitted that it took awhile before he felt truly settled in the professional ranks.
After spending three seasons with the Val d’Or of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, where he posted 152 points (52G-100A) in 170 career games, Letang played just 10 contests with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton before getting called up for what would be a permanent stay with the Penguins in 2007-08.
He’s been a mainstay on Pittsburgh’s blue line ever since, but his breakout year has come as a result of blending his talent with the pace of the game.
“In your first year, it’s a work-in-progress,” he said. “You try to learn defensively how to play the game, because when you switch from juniors to the NHL, there’s a big gap and you need to learn a lot of things. To play really good in the defensive zone, I think it’s the biggest step in the NHL. I think doing that transition and now being more comfortable everywhere on the ice maybe is all just happening at the same time.”
And the Penguins are glad that it did.
Source
http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=545175&cmpid=pit-fb-pghpenguins
Kris Letang has gotten off to an incredible start this season, and everyone’s noticing.
A total of 115,862 fans have taken the initiative to add the 23-year-old defenseman’s name on the ballot for the 2011 NHL All-Star Game. That’s good for the third-highest total among write-in candidates and fourth overall among blueliners.
“It means a lot,” Letang said of the recognition he’s been given. “I know we have the greatest fans in hockey in Pittsburgh. Just to have them on your side and pushing on your back, it’s big. You feel very comfortable.”
Letang is tied for second in scoring among NHL defensemen with 23 points (5G-18A). He also ranks second in team scoring behind captain Sidney Crosby and owns a plus-12 rating, tied for seventh in the league.
What’s impressive about the numbers Letang is putting up is that he’s getting them while being used as a No. 1-shutdown defenseman against other teams’ top lines. What’s scary is that he still has plenty of untapped potential.
“The biggest thing you notice is just how talented he is, how much skill he has, how good of a player he is,” defenseman Paul Martin said. “And still you see the potential, he can even be better. He’s having a good year and is still recognizing certain situations when he can take chances and when he can’t. He’s been fun to watch, and he’s only going to get better.”
Last season, it took Letang 73 games to record 23 points (3G-20A). He’s already tied that mark just 26 games in, and his defense partner Brooks Orpik says Letang’s points have been coming when he focuses on making the smart play first.
A prime example of this came in Pittsburgh’s 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames on Nov. 27. Letang jumpstarted the second goal when he laid a big hit on Calgary’s Olli Jokinen in the corner to separate him from the puck and proceeded to make a heads-up pass to Chris Kunitz, who led a scoring rush.
“I think when he plays his best his mindset going into games is to defend well,” Orpik said. “I think if he concentrates on playing defense, his offensive game just kind of comes to him naturally ... He’s definitely made a lot of strides this year with that. He’d probably tell you he still has a long way to go.”
Letang’s confidence and consistency didn’t happen overnight. He’s always had the skills, but admitted that it took awhile before he felt truly settled in the professional ranks.
After spending three seasons with the Val d’Or of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, where he posted 152 points (52G-100A) in 170 career games, Letang played just 10 contests with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton before getting called up for what would be a permanent stay with the Penguins in 2007-08.
He’s been a mainstay on Pittsburgh’s blue line ever since, but his breakout year has come as a result of blending his talent with the pace of the game.
“In your first year, it’s a work-in-progress,” he said. “You try to learn defensively how to play the game, because when you switch from juniors to the NHL, there’s a big gap and you need to learn a lot of things. To play really good in the defensive zone, I think it’s the biggest step in the NHL. I think doing that transition and now being more comfortable everywhere on the ice maybe is all just happening at the same time.”
And the Penguins are glad that it did.
Source
http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=545175&cmpid=pit-fb-pghpenguins
Kris Letang on Madden - November 11, 2010
I found this video on YouTube so that is my SOURCE if anyone has a problem with that.
Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
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