Pietrangelo doesn’t rule out a return to Vegas: Surprise in the NHL?

Alex Pietrangelo Considers Possible Return with the Golden Knights

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo hasn’t ruled out a return to play this season as he continues his rehabilitation from a lingering hip injury. In June, 35-year-old Pietrangelo and the Golden Knights announced that he would step away from “the intensity of hockey” to assess whether his injured hip could improve to the point of allowing him to have “a normal quality of life.” General Manager Kelly McCrimmon mentioned at the time that the injury “would require a bilateral reconstruction of the femur, with no guarantee of success.” Various reports indicated that Pietrangelo, the team’s number one defenseman, would miss at least the entire 2025-26 season. The defenseman himself stated in June that “the probability is low that my body will recover to the standard required to play.” However, Pietrangelo revealed on Monday that he has chosen not to undergo surgery, while continuing a rehabilitation program that has given him positive results. When asked if a return this season was ruled out, Pietrangelo did not rule it out.

Nothing is really concrete. I’m going to keep taking it day by day and see how it goes.

Alex Pietrangelo

Pietrangelo explained that the hip problem started years ago, but that last season “was when it really took its toll on me.” He played despite it, even skipping the 4 Nations Face-Off to focus on the Stanley Cup playoffs. In total, he played 71 games in the regular season and another 10 in the postseason, averaging 23:03 minutes of ice time in the playoffs. A 17-year NHL veteran, Pietrangelo led the St. Louis Blues (2019) and the Golden Knights (2023) to Stanley Cup championships. He has accumulated 637 points in 1,087 career games. Pietrangelo has two years remaining on a seven-year contract he signed as a free agent with Vegas in 2020, with a salary cap hit of $8.8 million. The Golden Knights have limited cap space after acquiring star winger Mitch Marner from Toronto with a new contract that has a $12 million impact. Vegas will start the season with Pietrangelo on long-term injured reserve.