Alex Pietrangelo is one of the top defensemen of his generation.
But the Las Vegas Golden Knights’ veteran is dealing with a rough injury situation at the moment.
A long-term hip injury will prevent Pietrangelo from playing at all in 2025-26.
According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, “In submitting their Opening Day roster, Vegas declared future Hall-of-Famer Alex Pietrangelo out for the season and playoffs (with approval of the NHL, NHLPA & player). The Golden Knights are eligible for full cap relief.”
That declaration allows the Golden Knights to receive $8.8 million in cap relief.
Pietrangelo, 35, had announced over the summer that he planned to take a step back from hockey to focus on his health.
As the season approached, he seemed to leave the door open to a return.
Apparently, that door has closed, at least for now.
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It’s hard to know whether Pietrangelo will ever be able to make it back from this injury. A whole year away could allow for healing, or it could suggest that it’s a really unfortunate health situation.
It’s not how anyone would’ve wanted to see this career end.
Pietrangelo has 637 career points as a defenseman. He has won the Stanley Cup twice, and he was a gold medalist for Team Canada in 2014.
The Golden Knights have a top-heavy roster, salary-wise, and getting relief on Pietrangelo’s cap hit is a big deal. But it’s still a bummer that they won’t have him out on the ice, because even at this point in his career, a healthy Pietrangelo would’ve still been a difference maker.
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