The Vegas Golden Knights are riding back-to-back wins and are keeping pace in the Pacific Division race. But mounting injury concerns have sparked speculation about a potential Alex Pietrangelo-like situation developing within the roster, raising questions about long-term availability and what it could mean for the team’s future plans.
Vegas Golden Knights Once Again Facing Alex Pietrangelo-Like Situation
The speculation centers around Mark Stone, as NHL insider Nick Kypreos raised concerns while discussing his health and long-term outlook. “A lot of people are already speculating about Mark Stone’s health next season and whether he’ll be able to play. It’s not out of the realm to think Stone could be looking at a similar situation to Alex Pietrangelo,” Kypreos reported.
The comparison is significant. On October 7, 2025, the Golden Knights ruled Pietrangelo out for the 2025-26 season due to a persistent hip injury that required bilateral femur reconstruction surgery. He has since spent the season on long-term injured reserve, with speculation growing that he may not return to professional hockey.
Stone previously went under the knife for two major back surgeries in less than a year: a lumbar discectomy in May 2022 and a microdiscectomy in January 2023. Multiple procedures can lead to disc degeneration of the surrounding discs, explaining his need for rest management and recurring upper-body issues.
The Vegas captain has also battled injuries throughout the 2025-26 campaign, including two separate stints on injured reserve. He missed 16 games late in 2025 with a broken finger and was placed on IR again on March 5, 2026, with an upper-body injury believed to be tied to recurring back issues.
Kypreos’s comments suggest the situation could follow Pietrangelo’s path, raising questions about the long-term outlook.
General manager Kelly McCrimmon publicly described the injury as manageable. “I think we’re really comfortable that it’s manageable. We’re not alarmed by the injury that he has,” McCrimmon said.
But the speculation hints at deeper concern behind the scenes about Stone’s ability to handle a full NHL schedule moving forward.
What makes the situation more complicated is that Stone has still been highly productive when healthy. He has recorded 66 points in 54 games this season, continuing to play at an elite level despite the physical toll.
For Vegas, the uncertainty comes at a crucial time. The Golden Knights are pushing for playoff positioning and preparing for a key matchup against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday.
But beyond the immediate race, questions about Stone’s durability and whether he could follow a Pietrangelo-like path could have major implications for the franchise’s long-term outlook.
