VANCOUVER, British Columbia — And Kris Letang makes eight.
The Pittsburgh Penguins appear set to get Kris Letang back into the lineup when they visit the Vancouver Canucks Sunday afternoon. Saturday at practice, Letang was in a black sweater and a full participant in drills at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.
The 38-year-old defenseman has been out day-to-day with an upper-body injury. His inclusion in practice gives the Penguins eight healthy defenseman, including newly acquired Ilya Solovyov.
The team activated Erik Karlsson before their 6-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday at Rogers Place.
Letang quickly rejoined the normal rotation, playing with Brett Kulak. Karlsson remained with Parker Wotherspoon, and the other two pairings left coach Dan Muse some wiggle room as Ryan Shea skated with Jack St. Ivany, and Solovyov was with Connor Clifton.
Update: Coach Dan Muse confirmed Letang was a full participant, but stopped short of confirming his availability for Sunday.
“He was a full participant at practice, which is great. We still have to have some conversations. Right now, those conversations haven’t happened yet, so we can’t commit to anything right now,” Muse said.
Letang was a full participant on special teams as well as practice drills.
Penguins Lines
Rickard Rakell-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust
Egor Chinakhov-Tommy Novak-Evgeni Malkin
Anthony Mantha-Ben Kindel-Justin Brazeau
Connor Dewar-Blake Lizotte-Noel Acciari
Extra: Kevin Hayes
Defense
Parker Wotherspoon-Erik Karlsson
Brett Kulak-Kris Letang
Ryan Shea-Jack St. Ivany
Extra: Ilya Solovyov-Connor Clifton
Both goalies were also present, Arturs Silovs and Stuart Skinner.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now will update the story after practice when coach Dan Muse speaks. Kris Letang is also scheduled to speak to the media.
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