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Pens’ Letang (lower body) to miss first two games of season

Kris Letang

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (58) plays during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders in Pittsburgh Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013. The Islanders won 4-1. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

AP

The Penguins have confirmed Kris Letang -- currently sidelined with a lower-body injury -- was not put on injured reserve retroactively, meaning he’ll be out at least and week and miss Pittsburgh’s first two games of the season against New Jersey and Buffalo.

Letang, 26, suffered the injury during practice last Friday and hasn’t been on the ice since. Pittsburgh head coach Dan Bylsma said he doesn’t think the ailment will keep Letang out long-term, and noted the defenseman could be activated from IR as early as Oct. 8.

With the Letang move, Pittsburgh now opens the season with a blueline comprised of Brooks Orpik, Paul Martin, Rob Scuderi, Matt Niskanen, Deryk Engelland, Robert Bortuzzo, Olli Maatta and (temporarily) Harrison Ruopp, who is believed to be back on his way down to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton so Beau Bennett can rejoin the team.