Daily Nuggets: Theodore Injury Hurts Golden Knights, Canada; Reilly Smith Rumors

The Vegas Golden Knights didn’t play last night, but they still lost one of their players to injury. Defenseman Shea Theodore suited up for Team Canada against Sweden but exited the game early in the second period. If Theodore’s injury is serious, that doesn’t bode well for the Golden Knights. Elsewhere in the Daily Nuggets, without Theodore, Team Canada faces a severe disadvantage. Gary Bettman is finally taking pity on hockey fans everywhere by bringing back the World Cup of Hockey. 

Theodore’s injury aside– “Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?”– seeing international play again was exhilarating. It was the first time hockey fans got to see Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, and Connor McDavid suit up together for Team Canada. That alone lived up to the hype, but the game was also fantastic.

Vegas Hockey Now is going to try our hand at a mailbag. If you have questions about the Golden Knights or their season, trade proposals, or concerns about the amount of sleep I get, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment. There’s no such thing as an unappreciated comment; shortly after the Theodore injury, I received one that read: “Was it worth it to have one of our defensemen get injured?” I knew what the poster meant, but it was phrased in a way that made me chuckle. For my next column: “Star Golden Knights Defenseman Injured, Sportswriter Nowhere Near Montreal Blamed.”

Golden Knights News

Unfortunately, the most significant bit of Golden Knights news yesterday was the injury to Shea Theodore during Canada’s matchup with Sweden. He had X-rays and was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the 4 Nations Face-Off Tournament. Here’s how Theodore’s injury will impact the Golden Knights.

Of course, Theodore’s injury overshadowed this, but Golden Knights captain Mark Stone looked great last night. He was flying all game. Stone played on a line with Sidney Crosby, and finished off a nice play from The Kid.

You’ve met Expressive Mark Stone 🗿

Now, get ready to meet Patriotic Mark Stone 🇨🇦#ExpressiveMarkStone | #4Nations pic.twitter.com/PnuOYCW4Tt

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) February 13, 2025

The Athletic ($): Jack Eichel used to be known for his offensive talent. He still is, but he’s also become a true two-way center that can defend against any player in this league. Michael Russo wrote a really compelling piece about Eichel’s NHL journey and how it shaped him into the player he is today.

The Athletic ($): Scott Wheeler released a top-20 ranking of NHL-drafted goaltender prospects. 21-year-old Carl Lindbom, drafted with the 222nd pick in the  2021 NHL draft, comes in at number 12.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

The Athletic ($): The New York Rangers have been one of the league’s most disappointing teams this season. They’re 3-2 since trading for JT Miller, but if the Rangers continue to slide, they will be sellers at the deadline. Old friend and Original Misfit Reilly Smith will be moved if the Rangers sell.

Sportsnet: NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has finally seen the light. He wants NHL players back in best-on-best tournaments every two years. The Winter Olympics take place in 2026, so what does that mean? Well… stay calm, folks. The World Cup of Hockey will return in 2028.

Sportsnet: Shea Theodore’s injury doesn’t just affect the Golden Knights; it’s also bad news for Team Canada. 

Colorado Hockey Now: If you didn’t watch the game between Canada and Sweden last night, you missed out big time. It was fast, it was high-event, and it was fun.

New York Islanders Hockey Now: Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson has changed agents. What does this mean for his future?