Alex Pietrangelo made a quiet but calculated move last season when he opted out of the 4 Nations Face-Off. On the surface, it might’ve seemed like a minor decision. But in reality, it spoke volumes about where his priorities lie - and where the Vegas Golden Knights' mindset should be as they gear up for another Stanley Cup push.
Pietrangelo, a two-time Cup champion, was dealing with nagging hip issues and other physical wear and tear. Rather than risk further injury in a midseason international showcase, he chose to stay back and focus on the bigger picture: helping Vegas stay healthy and ready for the playoff grind.
And in hindsight, it was the smart play. Fellow defenseman Shea Theodore, who did participate in the event, ended up getting hurt - a blow that left the Golden Knights without one of their most dynamic puck movers.
Fast forward to this week, and Vegas is once again dealing with the injury bug. Forward Jonas Rondbjerg was ruled week-to-week by head coach Bruce Cassidy after going down in Sunday’s game against Anaheim.
Now, Rondbjerg might not be a household name - he’s spent time bouncing between the big club and the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights - but that doesn’t mean his absence doesn’t matter. Depth matters, especially for a team with championship aspirations.
The Golden Knights are no strangers to adversity. They've been through injury-plagued stretches before, and they know how quickly momentum can shift when key players go down. Jack Eichel and Mark Stone are already critical pieces whose health is paramount, but it goes deeper than just the stars.
Take William Karlsson, for example. He’s one of the most underrated two-way centers in the league.
He doesn’t just chip in offensively - he’s tasked with shutting down some of the NHL’s best night after night. Whether it’s Leon Draisaitl or Nikita Kucherov, Karlsson’s the guy you want taking those tough matchups.
His absence disrupts the entire balance of the lineup.
Then there's Brett Howden. He’s not going to lead the team in scoring, but he brings versatility and reliability to the bottom six.
He’s the kind of player who can tilt a shift in your favor with smart positioning, improved puck-handling, and the ability to capitalize on chances when they come. That kind of depth is what separates contenders from pretenders in the postseason.
So as the Golden Knights navigate the second half of the season, the message should be clear: prioritize health, manage minutes, and play the long game. Yes, the Pacific Division isn’t exactly a gauntlet right now. Vegas entered Tuesday atop the standings, and with teams like Edmonton still trying to solve their goaltending puzzle and San Jose stuck in a rebuild, there’s room to breathe.
But that breathing room shouldn’t be mistaken for complacency. The playoffs are a different animal, and Vegas has already seen what happens when they’re missing key pieces.
The goal isn’t just to make the postseason - it’s to make a deep run. That means keeping Stone, Eichel, Karlsson, and the rest of the core as close to 100% as possible when the games start to really count.
Alex Pietrangelo set the tone last year with his decision to put the team’s long-term success over short-term accolades. That mindset needs to carry through the rest of the locker room.
The Golden Knights know what it takes to lift the Cup. Now it’s about making sure they’re healthy enough to do it again.