The Vegas Golden Knights have announced that top defenseman Alex Pietrangelo has chosen to withdraw from the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off to tend to what they describe as an “ailment” and prepare for the remaining season.
Pietrangelo has appeared in 46 of Vegas’ 49 games this season, having missed six days of action with an upper-body injury in November. He’s otherwise been as consistent as they come, averaging nearly 23 minutes of ice time and serving roles on both of Vegas’ special teams. He ranks second among the team’s blue-line in scoring with 25 points in 46 games, confidently behind Shea Theodore’s 44 points. Pietrangelo also ranks second on the team in blocked shots with 87. Even at the age of 35, Pietrangelo has continued to serve in a premier role for the Golden Knights.
Pietrangelo was named to Team Canada’s 4-Nations Face-Off roster on December 3rd, alongside Golden Knights teammate Theodore and former St. Louis Blues teammate Colton Parayko. The trio made up half of a blue-line that also featured Cale Makar, Devon Toews, Josh Morrissey, and Travis Sanheim. With Pietrangelo opting to withdraw, Canada will have to go back to the drawing board to find their final defender. Edmonton’s Evan Bouchard, New Jersey’s Dougie Hamilton, and San Jose’s Jake Walman lead all available options in NHL scoring.
The reasons for Pietrangelo’s withdrawal seem unclear. He has shown no signs of injury through the recent stretch and has even recorded an assist in four of Vegas’ last five games. Pietrangelo is also signed through the end of the 2026-27 season, giving him a reasonable chance at making Team Canada’s roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics with a strong showing at the 4-Nations tournament. But he’ll now back out to keep his sights on Vegas’ success. The Golden Knights currently rank third in the Western Conference and fourth in the NHL with 64 points. They seem clearly in sight of a playoff berth, where they’ll get a chance to chase their second Stanley Cup in the last three years. Pietrangelo also won a Cup in St. Louis.
I have a feeling more players will be doing this leading up to this tournament.
So true why not have this in Aug or Sept. Leading into training camps.
please no Bouchard. This not olympics expect more guys to take time off for injuries. This like outdoor games . Gary creation .
It’s a series of meaningless all star games, That ironically replaced a meaningless all star game, The condensed schedule is taking It’s toll on teams, And the silly money grab tournament literally shuts down the league for roughly two weeks, It’s also missing the Russian, And Cechia teams, And just wait until a star player suffers a serious Injury. Thanks for nothing uncle Gary!
Jake Wallman over Mackenzie Weegar?!? Stop it!
I was just thinking the exact same thing when I read this. I can see Hamilton…but Walman or even Bouchard over Weegar? Too much politics over just good players going. I’m losing less interest as each day passes.
What a tool
Should be Thomas Harley
“Ailment” is Greek for “Vacation in Santorini”
Foolish idea having this intramural tournament mid-season – no Russia or Czechia devalues the matter even further. I don’t blame Pietrangelo.
Exactly. It’s not even close to a best-on-best tournament. Kucherov and Draisaitl are in the top 3 in league scoring and can’t participate. No Shesterkin, Pastrnak, Necas, Panarin, Kaprizov, Josi, Seider… it’s so silly.
I hope more players pull out to prioritize their health for their NHL clubs.
It is his choince. No need to force 35yo body to play in meaningless tournament when play-offs are.comming