Veteran defenseman Alex Pietrangelo bowed out of the 4 Nations Face-Off. A proven winner, an offensive D-man, a shutdown player or a two-way blueliner could replace him.

Pietrangelo, 35, was one of the most experienced players on the Canadian roster with two Stanley Cups, an Olympic gold and a World Cup of Hockey title on his resume. He is not currently injured and was in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Dallas Stars. He did miss a week in November with an upper-body injury.

Canada veteran defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, 35, has withdrawn from the 4 Nations Face-Off due to an undisclosed injury and to prepare for the rest of the NHL season with the Vegas Golden Knights, the club announced in a statement Sunday.

Update: Alex Pietrangelo will be withdrawing from the 2025 4Nations Face-Off to tend to an ailment and prepare for the remainder of the regular season with Vegas. #VegasBorn With two Stanley Cups and an Olympic gold medal under his belt, Pietrangelo, 35, was one of Canada's most seasoned veterans.

How should we choose to perceive the news that Alex Pietrangelo has withdrawn from the 4 Nations Face-Off? We can smirk at the fact he stepped aside from Team Canada to rest “an ailment” and, hours later,

Vegas defenseman Alex Pietrangelo has withdrawn from playing for Team Canada in the upcoming 2025 4 Nations Face-off because of an undisclosed ailment, the Golden Knights announced Sunday. Pietrangelo,