Golden Knights activate Shea Theodore from injured reserve

The Vegas Golden Knights activated defenseman Shea Theodore from the injured reserve Tuesday following a 14-game absence related to an arm injury. Sidelined since early February, Theodore suffered the injury while competing with Canada at the recent 4 Nations Face-Off.

Ahead of Tuesday’s contest against the Minnesota Wild, Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy told reporters that Theodore would be a game-time decision to return to the lineup, adding, “He will decide tonight if he is in. He has been skating and he looks good. Part of his game that we have missed the most is neutral zone transition, breakouts. He can be a one-man breakout for sure. That part of our game was still solid, but that is one of his best attributes.”

With the Golden Knights this season, the 29-year-old native of Aldergrove, B.C., has made 55 appearances in which he has registered seven goals and 41 assists to sit fourth in team scoring and first among defensemen with 48 points. In all, Theodore is only four points shy of his 52-point career high he set with the Golden Knights during the 2021-22 campaign.

In October, the Golden Knights signed Theodore to a seven-year extension that carries a $7.425-million annual average value. The new contract will begin in the upcoming 2025-26 season, per PuckPedia.

Originally chosen 26th overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2013 NHL Draft, Theodore has totaled 552 career contests between the Ducks and Golden Knights in which he has tallied 78 goals and 276 assists for 354 points. Theodore has also dazzled in the postseason where through 114 outings he has notched 15 goals and 53 assists for 68 points, underscored by 13 points in 21 games in 2023 en route to the Golden Knights’ first-ever Stanley Cup championship.

In the midst of a three-game win streak, the Golden Knights stand atop the Pacific Division with a 42-20-8 record and 92 points.