Alex Pietrangelo, defenseman for the Golden Knights, is stepping away from hockey due to a hip injury that requires bilateral femur reconstruction. This decision comes after consultations with medical professionals and consideration of his long-term health. While Pietrangelo is not retiring, the surgery has no guarantee of success, and he acknowledges that the likelihood of returning to play is low. He has two years remaining on his contract and will be placed on long-term injured reserve.
Pietrangelo’s career has been illustrious, highlighted by captaining the St. Louis Blues to a Stanley Cup victory in 2019 and winning another championship with the Golden Knights in 2023. His impressive career includes 637 points in 1,087 NHL games and a gold medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics. Should he never play again, he would be eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2028.
The Knights are utilizing Pietrangelo’s move to LTIR to gain the flexibility needed to acquire Mitch Marner from the Toronto Maple Leafs in a sign-and-trade deal. This transaction involves sending Nicolas Roy to Toronto, with Marner expected to sign an eight-year extension with Vegas. Additionally, the Knights have made changes to their defensive lineup, trading Nic Hague to the Nashville Predators for Jeremy Lauzon and Colton Sissons, allowing for adjustments to their defensive strategies moving forward.