Golden Knights Share Unfortunate Alex Pietrangelo Update

Under the NHL’s new collective bargaining agreement, this designation is new to the league and allows teams to receive LTIR relief up to the previous year’s average NHL salary ($3.8 million in 2024–25) unless a player is ruled out for the entire season, including the postseason, which is the case with Pietrangelo.

By making that declaration, the Golden Knights removed Pietrangelo’s $8.8 million cap hit entirely from their books and will move just below the cap entering the season, per PuckPedia.

Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon said in July he doubted Pietrangelo would return to hockey following his injury, though the veteran indicated last month that “nothing’s really concrete” about his future.

“It’s unlikely that Pietrangelo will play again,” McCrimmon said at the start of the offseason.

Despite the setback, Vegas remains strong in defense with Shea Theodore and Brayden McNabb anchoring the top pair, while Zach Whitecloud and Noah Hanifin are expected to move into expanded roles.

Losing their top defenseman is a major blow, but the move offers financial flexibility to the Golden Knights. Vegas will have unexpected cap space, with 13 forwards, seven defensemen and two goaltenders on their roster.

That space already helped Vegas re-sign restricted free agent Alexander Holtz, and they could also pursue outside free agents, such as goaltender Carter Hart next, who has been linked to the organization in recent weeks.

The Golden Knights open their season on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Kings.