Ryan S. Clarkjun 30, 2025, 09:21 PM ET
Closeryan S. Clark is an NHL reporter for ESPN.
Vegas Golden Knights defensive man Alex Pietrangelo will not be able to play for a foreseeable future and undergo a bilateral femoral reconstruction that “doesn’t guarantee success.”
Questions about Pietlanguero’s health have been around throughout the season, but were further amplified on Sunday, when the Golden Knights alternative captain in the fourth season reported that he needed surgery and would sit in the 2025-26 season.
These questions were asked on Monday by Pietlanguero and the Golden Knights in a joint statement on his health and future.
“The past few years have been extremely challenging to my physical well-being and I am in a difficult position to play overall health,” Pietlanguero said in a statement. “After exploring options with my family as well as the doctor, I recommend removing the strength of hockey and see if my body can improve so I can return to normal quality of life.”
Pietlanguero also said that “while adding that it is unlikely that my body will recover to the standards necessary to play, it is difficult to deal with the decision, but I know this is the right decision for me and my family.”
The two-time Stanley Cup champions averaged 22 minutes in 71 games of the season and 22 minutes and 33 points with ice time.
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The 35-year-old played more than 12 times in his career in more than 70 games, but in the 4 Nations showdown in February he dealt with the illness on behalf of Team Canada.
Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimon said in a statement that the steps Pietlanguero had taken to play are hitting his body with the intention of resting to receive treatment in four countries outside the line to make a difference.
McCrimmon said the positive outcomes have declined, saying it is a “no longer sustainable” process going forward.
“Today’s decision is difficult for both Alex and Golden Knight, but it’s made for the right reasons,” McCrimon said. “So Alex can be a man in a family that we all know is him.”
Pietlanguero, the fourth pick in the 2008 NHL Draft, broke into the NHL at the age of 19 and became a full-time player at the age of 21.
The 35-year-old has provided the Golden Knights with every proven defender as part of all the cost approaches he won the Stanley Cup in 2023.
Three-time NHL All-Star Pietrangelo scored 148 goals and 637 points in 1,087 games. In the playoffs, he scored 15 goals and 80 points in 145 postseason games.
Provide the latest information on Pietrangelo’s health is the latest development that was an active period of the Vegas franchise.
They began when they traded defensive man Nicholas Haag for the Nashville Predators in exchange for forward Colton Sison and defender Jeremy Lauzon.
On Monday, sources told ESPN’s Emily Kaplan that the Golden Knights had signed unlimited free agent winger Mitch Marner in a sign-and-trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs, who saw Nicholas Roy go to Toronto.
Pietrangelo’s injury and the fact that he’ll assume at least one season create another question about how Golden Knights will fill that void, as it appears to have something that looks like a top four opening, unless the Golden Knights lift Zach Whitecloud.
The Golden Knights have six active defenders who have signed with the idea that moving Pietlanguero and moving his $8.8 million cap hit to a long-term injury sanctuary over the next two seasons could provide financial flexibility to deal with his absence.
