Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
NHL Power Rankings: #4
Coming in at number four on our countdown of the best defensemen in the Eastern Conference is Kris Letang of the Pittsburgh Penguins. While he has struggled to stay healthy for a variety of reasons (ranging from a stroke to severe concussion issues), when he’s healthy, he’s one of the best defensemen in the NHL.
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Since the beginning of the 2012-2013 season, Letang ranks sixth among all NHL blueliners (minimum 1000 minutes at even-strength) in even-strength points per 60 minutes with 1.19. With 0.92 assists per 60 minutes at even-strength during the same period of time, he ranks sixth among all NHL defensemen. He also ranks 20th in even-strength CF% relative (3.82%).
On the power play, he’s even more dangerous. He ranks third among all NHL defensemen with at least 125 minutes played on the power play in power play points per 60 minutes (5.41) and assists per 60 minutes (4.62).
Letang would be higher on this list if he could prove he can stay healthy. However, coming off a stroke in 2013-2014 and several concussions in 2014-15, his lack of health is a concern. He must prove that he can stay healthy in 2015. That’s something that I honestly don’t know if he can do at this point in his career. I think Pensburgh said it best.
"Letang is almost literally off the charts for his advanced numbers- almost every aspect he’s top on the team, and among the league leaders in the league. All the while he played a hefty 25:29 per game, eating a ton of minutes along the way… The big question is – can he avoid future head injuries and be able to play a full season? Letang only missed 13 regular season games to injury, his fewest in a season since 2010-11. – Pensburgh"
Next: #3