Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo has withdrawn from Team Canada for the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.
The team announced on Sunday that the two-time Stanley Cup champion won’t participate in the tournament “to tend to an ailment and to prepare for the remainder of the regular season” with the Golden Knights.
Update: Alex Pietrangelo will be withdrawing from the 2025 4Nations Face-Off to tend to an ailment and prepare for the remainder of the regular season with Vegas. #VegasBorn
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) January 26, 2025
This news will require Canada’s management, including GM Don Sweeney, associate GM Jim Nill and head coach Jon Cooper, to decide on a replacement for Pietrangelo.
Vegas is currently tied with the Carolina Hurricanes in points for fourth place in the league. Furthermore, they are one point behind the Edmonton Oilers for the top spot in the Pacific Division.
The 35-year-old blueliner suffered a minor upper-body injury in November that kept him out on a day-to-day basis. However, he returned to the team less than a week after the injury news was announced.
In his 17th NHL season, the veteran has played over 1,000 games. Pietrangelo has also played in 139 playoff games over 11 campaigns. The team and player believe that he could benefit from the two-week break during the tournament.
Pietrangelo has played 46 games this season with Vegas, scoring three goals and 25 points. He’s also fifth on the team in plus-minus with a plus-11 rating.
Several defensemen weren’t selected for Team Canada on Dec. 4 and could be considered with Pietrangelo out. Some potential replacements include Drew Doughty, Aaron Ekblad, Dougie Hamilton, and more.
When all four teams were announced, Los Angeles Kings D-man Doughty was out with a serious injury he suffered in pre-season. He broke his left ankle in an exhibition game against the Golden Knights and has missed time ever since.
Doughty has yet to play a game this season for the Kings. However, Canada’s management highly regards him and he is on the verge of returning as he has been back to participating in practice.
Ekblad is also an option as he led the back end for the Florida Panthers in last season’s run to the first Stanley Cup in franchise history.
On the other hand, Canada’s management has proved that they aren’t afraid to make bold decisions.
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