Since drafting Mario Lemieux in 1984, this fourth chapter of the Pittsburgh Penguins book has been the most fruitful of the franchise’s 55-year existence. Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and now Kris Letang have played 1000 games, all with the Penguins. Three Stanley Cups, heartbreaks, coaches, and GMs have come and gone, but for the last 16 years, Crosby, Malkin, and Letang have been constants.

Technically, Letang won’t play his 1000th game until the puck drops Sunday at 6 p.m. at PPG Paints Arena in a game between the Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers.

Friday after practice, Letang was introspective, if not appreciative and accepting of the time that has passed.

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