Kris Letang of the Penguins appeared in 69 games in the 2014-15 season and ended up as a finalist for the NHL’s Masterton Trophy, which honors “perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.”
Had he dressed for 82, or something close to it, Letang might have been contending for a different trophy at the league’s awards ceremony tonight in Las Vegas: The Norris, which goes to the NHL’s top defenseman.
Despite missing 13 games — five because of a groin injury, seven because of a concussion and one for undisclosed reasons — Letang put up personal-bests for goals (11), assists (43) and points (54) in his first season after having a stroke that kept him out for two-plus months in 2013-14.