Bruce Cassidy doesn’t expect Shea Theodore to be available on Saturday, but he could return as early as next week.
The Vegas Golden Knights are getting one of their top defensemen back.
Theodore, who has missed the past 33 games due to an upper-body injury, was wearing a regular jersey during the team’s morning skate on Wednesday (Feb. 14) — hinting at a possible return in the near future.
He has worn a red non-contact jersey since returning to practice on Feb. 10, but that’s gone now.
BABE WAKE UP
REGULAR JERSEY SHEA THEODORE JUST DROPPED pic.twitter.com/U3COvC5pgs
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) February 14, 2024
Theodore last played on Nov. 22. He underwent surgery a week later and has been working his way back ever since.
“Next week is probably a little more realistic,” head coach Bruce Cassidy said, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “I’m not going to put a timeline on it because it’s only Wednesday, but we’re excited just with the fact he’s mixing in with the group.”
???? Cassidy on Shea Theodore: I don't know if he'll be available this weekend. I think next week is probably more realistic. pic.twitter.com/X4G9jGmLYf
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) February 14, 2024
Vegas is 17-12-4 in his absence — which isn’t bad, but they were 14-4-2 with Theo in the lineup. They were 13-9-5 without him in 27 games last season — as opposed to 38-13-4 when healthy.
Theodore’s linemate, Brayden McNabb, knows what his return means for the Golden Knights.
“He’s very well-liked. He’s a great guy and a great friend,” McNabb said after Wednesday’s practice. “Then when you put him on the ice, he’s got a lot of abilities everyone wishes they had. He skates effortlessly up and down the ice, sees the play well, can break out the puck on his own if he wants.”
Theodore has four goals, 14 assists, and 18 points in 20 games this season.
Shea Theodore Returning to the Power Play
Through the first 20 games of the season, Vegas was scoring on 23.2% (16 of 69) of their power play opportunities. That was with a healthy Theodore on the team’s first unit.
Since then, the team is just 19 of 108 (17.6%) — a difference of 5.6%. They’re 1 for 12 in their past five games and 2 for 19 in their past eight games.
When he returns, Theodore will likely replace Alec Martinez on the top power-play unit.
Power play goal for Vegas!
Scored by Shea Theodore with 03:53 remaining in the 2nd period.
Assisted by Jack Eichel and Mark Stone.
Montreal: 4
Vegas: 4#VGKvsMTL #GoHabsGo #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/hrgmZDlHML— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) November 17, 2023
“Shea is in a class of four or five guys in the league who can dance around the blue line and create things,” Cassidy said — adding that they miss some offense when Theodore isn’t out there. “Shea has a comfort level up there and the lateral mobility to do it as well as anybody.”
Theodore has been with the team ever since its inception ahead of the 2017-18 season. He has 65 goals, 200 assists, and 265 points in 417 games (7 seasons) with the Golden Knights.
As of today, he has the fourth-most games played and fourth-most points in franchise history — he’ll pass former Misfit, Reilly Smith (286 points), soon.
We likely won’t see him on Saturday (Feb. 17) when VGK hosts the Carolina Hurricanes, but Vegas has four games next week — so he’ll have plenty of opportunity to make that long-awaited return to the lineup.
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