Even if the Pittsburgh Penguins make the playoffs and wind up playing deep into the postseason, it is "not likely" defenseman Kris Letang will be able to play, Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on Friday.
"Based on his present condition, it's not likely he'd return this year," Rutherford told the Tribune-Review.
Letang was diagnosed with a concussion as a result of a hit March 28 from Arizona Coyotes captain Shane Doan. Letang, in the corner behind his net, was shoved backward by Doan after flipping the puck out of the zone.
He was third among NHL defensemen in scoring with 54 points at the time of the injury.
Letang, who has a history of concussions and suffered a stroke last year, fell awkwardly with the back of his head hitting the end boards. He remained on the ice for several minutes with the trainer and team doctor before he left the ice with help from teammates Steve Downie and Rob Scuderi.
The Penguins also are missing Christian Ehrhoff (upper body) and played with five defensemen in a 3-1 loss to the New York Islanders on Friday. The Pens need to beat the Buffalo Sabres and have the Boston Bruins lose to the Tampa Bay Lightning to make the playoffs.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.