Kris Letang Joins Canadiens’ Informal Practice … with Penguins Gear

In a unique bit of conditioning for the upcoming 2023-24 NHL season, Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang is participating in unofficial team activities with … the Montreal Canadiens.

Letang, a Montreal native who spends his summers in the area, has been training in nearby Brossard and has in the past trained with Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson.

Montreal reporter Raphael Doucet noticed Letang Wednesday at the Canadiens’ unofficial “captain’s skate.” Letang appears to be wearing a Canadiens jersey inside out and appears to have his Penguins helmet and equipment.

Pendant que les recrues font leurs tests physiques, les réguliers s’entraînent sur la glace à Brossard.
Avec un intrus…#Habs #Canadiens #CH #Canadien pic.twitter.com/YaFjWFRWNU

— Raphaël Doucet (@raphdoucet) September 13, 2023

Doucet reports that Letang is expected to return to Pittsburgh later this week or early next week. While the move is unusual, Penguins fans will recall Letang spending extended time with his family in Montreal last season after the untimely passing of his father.

Hockey sources close to Letang noted that Canadiens GM Kent Hughes is Letang’s former agent, and though not common, it didn’t violate any rules.

Also noted in the picture, standing beside Letang is Matheson. Sources close to Letang speculated that team management approved the participation.

The captain’s skates or informal practices are run by players, and coaches cannot participate, per league rules. Penguins players are currently holding similar skates at the UPMC Lemieux Complex in anticipation of the start of training camp next week.