In a surprising twist, Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, who has been sidelined due to a serious hip injury, has hinted that he might not be done for the season after all!

At 35 years old, Pietrangelo stepped away from the game last June, prioritizing his health over hockey's intense demands. The injury was significant enough to warrant a mention of "bilateral femur reconstruction," which carries no guarantees for recovery, according to GM Kelly McCrimmon.

Originally, reports suggested that the Golden Knights’ star defenseman might sit out the entire 2025-26 season, a devastating blow for both him and the team. Earlier this summer, Pietrangelo himself acknowledged that his chances of returning to playing condition seemed bleak.

However, during a recent training camp, Pietrangelo revealed that he is taking a more optimistic approach. He has chosen to forgo surgery and continues with a rehab program that is yielding encouraging results. When asked if he might return this season, he intriguingly stated, "Nothing is really concrete. I'm just going to continue to take it day-by-day and see where it goes."

The hip problem has been lingering for years but worsened last season. Despite the pain, Pietrangelo powered through, participating in crucial games leading up to the playoffs, where he played ten additional matches and logged substantial ice time.

With a storied career spanning over 17 years in the NHL, Pietrangelo has already secured two Stanley Cup championships, clinching victories with the St. Louis Blues in 2019 and the Golden Knights in 2023. Currently, he boasts an impressive 637 points across 1,087 games.

Pietrangelo still has two years left on a lucrative seven-year contract with the Golden Knights that was signed in 2020, carrying an $8.8 million cap hit. This adds to the drama, especially after the team's recent acquisition of star winger Mitch Marner, which weighs heavily on the team's salary cap.

As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Pietrangelo as fans hope for a miraculous comeback!