Kris Letang Faces Increased Competition for Top-Four Role in 2026-27

At 39 years old, veteran defenseman Kris Letang enters the 2026-27 season with the Pittsburgh Penguins facing significant challenges to his ice time. As the team looks to manage his workload, Letang must contend with heightened competition from the defensive roster to maintain his established position within the Penguins' top-four pairing. The organization's strategy for balancing his veteran experience against younger options remains a key storyline for the upcoming campaign.