Penguins lose Kris Letang for season after back surgery [URL=https://www.officialducksauthority.com/paul-kariya-jersey-c-5484.htm]https://www.officialducksauthority.com/paul-kariya-jersey-c-5484.htm[/URL] - Kris Letang will undergo surgery to repair a herniated disc, ending his season and potentially the Pittsburgh Penguins’ playoff hopes. The Penguins announced [URL=https://www.officialducksauthority.com/reto-berra-jersey-c-5485.htm]Reto Berra Jersey[/URL] the news about their veteran defenseman on Wednesday. Letang hasn’t played since Feb. 21 in Carolina. His recovery will last for about 4-6 months.Kris Letang will undergo surgery for a herniated disc in his neck. The recovery period is expected to be 4-6 months. https://t.co/Q3Fjb0wSkp pic.twitter.com/sSSezzNNIf— Pittsburgh Penguins (penguins) April 5, 2017Letang: "Right now it's hard to swallow. It was not expected. Like I've done in the past, I'm going to put my energy into getting better."— Pittsburgh Penguins (penguins) April 5, 2017As Letang alludes to, this is just the latest in a string of injuries. Since 2011, Letang has suffered concussions, an elbow infection, groin injuries, a knee injury, and [URL=https://www.officialducksauthority.com/rickard-rakell-jersey-c-5486.htm]https://www.officialducksauthority.com/rickard-rakell-jersey-c-5486.htm[/URL] even a stroke in 2014. Pittsburgh has won without him, but he’s still an integral part of its defensive core. And that core has [URL=https://www.officialducksauthority.com/ryan-getzlaf-jersey-c-5487.htm]https://www.officialducksauthority.com/ryan-getzlaf-jersey-c-5487.htm[/URL] gotten roughed up this season. Olli Maatta and Trevor Daley have missed significant time, forcing GM Jim Rutherford to acquire [URL=https://www.officialducksauthority.com/patrick-eaves-jersey-c-5483.htm]Patrick Eaves Jersey[/URL] Ron Hainsey and Mark Streit at the trade deadline. The Penguins will, in all likelihood, begin their 2016 Stanley Cup defense against the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round.