Despite the Vegas Golden Knights’ rather unimpressive 2024-25 postseason, Alex Pietrangelo had a fairly good run. With 33 points in the regular season and 6 points in 10 postseason matches, the 35-year-old defenseman proved to be a centerpiece to the Knights’ campaign this season. However, his skill will be something the Las Vegas team will have to hit the ice without in the 2025-26 season.

The official Vegas Golden Knights account provided an update on Alex Pietrangelo’s future via a post on X on June 30. As per the social media update, the Canadian will be stepping away from his beloved sport to take care of his health. “The past few years have been very challenging on my physical well-being, and I am in a difficult position with my overall playing health,” Pietrangelo noted in his statement. Subsequently, came the statement that would undoubtedly hit the Knights fans where it hurts.

In his statement, Pietrangelo also mentioned that being forced to put an end to his NHL career after 17 long years wasn’t an easy pill to swallow. But it is what it is, and hard calls had to be made. “The likelihood is low that my body will recover to the standard required to play, but I know this is the right decision for me and my family,” the emotions weighed heavily in every word.

“After exploring options with doctors as well as my family, it’s been advised to remove the intensity of hockey to see if my body can improve so that I can return to a normal quality of life,” the blueliner explained. Vegas’ general manager, Kelly McCrimmon, also noted that Alex will have the “organization’s full support in prioritizing his long-term health and quality of life.” Along with that, the GM also shed light on what prompted Pietrangelo’s decision.

“Alex is dealing with hips that would require bilateral femur reconstruction, with no guarantee of success,” McCrimmon stated. From the looks of things, Pietrangelo will be decommissioned for at least the entirety of the 2025-26 season before any changes in the current scenario. And here’s where things get a little murky.

Pietrangelo still has two years left on his contract with an $8.8 million AAV. With the defenseman now having to address his health condition, it remains to be seen how the Golden Knights will tackle the situation in their best interests. However, considering the legacy that the 2x Stanley Cup winner sits upon, it should be safe to assume that the NHL franchise will need to keep that in mind while making a call on the matter.

But we daresay that Vegas wasn’t already preparing for something like this.

Alex Pietrangelo’s unfortunate step wasn’t completely unexpected

Over nearly 20 years in the NHL, Alex Pietrangelo has suited up for 1,087 regular-season games with the St. Louis Blues and Vegas Golden Knights, racking up 637 points—148 goals and 489 assists. He’s also added 80 points in 149 playoff appearances. And with a +123 rating in the regular season, it’s clear just how much of an impact he’s had on the ice. And yet, despite all his accolades and towering feats, the defenseman still didn’t get to show his talents upon the international stage when opportunity came knocking.

At the inaugural 4 Nations Face Off, held in February, Pietrangelo was slated to lend his skills to the Canadian national team in a bid to be the first-ever champions of the tournament. However, in January, the Golden Knights announced that their blueline star would withdraw from the competition in order “to tend to an ailment“.

His woes continued in the 2025 playoffs, as Pietrangelo missed a number of games against the Edmonton Oilers in the second round of the Western Conference. Now, it looks like while Knights’ fans had hoped against all hope to see their blueliner get back into his natural habitat for the 2025-26 season, it wasn’t to be. “Alex has given everything to the game and to the Golden Knights and has played through significant challenges in the pursuit of trying to win another Stanley Cup in Vegas…Today’s decision is a difficult one for both Alex and the Golden Knights, but it is being made for the right reasons, so that Alex can be the family man we all know him to be,” Vegas’ GM said on the unfortunate situation.

Where do you think Alex Pietrangelo’s next phase of life will take him? Tell us in a comment.