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The Pittsburgh Penguins activated defenseman Kris Letang off long-term injured reserve Tuesday ahead of their home game against the Florida Panthers.

Letang last played Dec. 28 and has missed Pittsburgh’s past 11 games. He was sidelined with a lower-body injury and also took time away from the team following the death of his father.

It has been a difficult season for the 35-year-old, who also suffered a stroke on Nov. 28 and returned to game action 12 days later. It was the second stroke of his life after he had one in 2014.

Letang is the franchise’s all-time leader in games (970), goals (146), assists (520) and points (666) by a defenseman. He won Stanley Cups in 2009, 2016 and 2017 and trails only longtime teammates Sidney Crosby (1,154) and Evgeni Malkin (1,027) in games played for the franchise.

In 29 games this season, Letang has two goals and 14 assists.

In corresponding moves, the Penguins moved defenseman Jan Rutta to long-term injured reserve retroactive to Jan. 14 and forward Kasperi Kapanen to injured reserve retroactive to Jan. 18.

–Field Level Media