Shea Theodore, defenseman for the Vegas Golden Knights, appears poised to rejoin the lineup following his activation from the injured reserve.
Currently, it remains uncertain whether Theodore, aged 28, will indeed be included in the Golden Knights’ lineup for Monday’s match against the San Jose Sharks. However, his activation from the injured reserve renders him eligible for a return.
Having sustained an upper-body injury in a 2-1 overtime victory against the Dallas Stars on November 22, Theodore has been absent from the lineup for nearly three months. His absence has coincided with a challenging period for the Golden Knights, who have posted a record of 17-13-4 during his 34-game absence.
The injury interrupted what had been a strong start to the season for Theodore, who recorded 4 goals and 14 assists for a total of 18 points in 20 games. Had he remained healthy, this pace would likely have surpassed his career-high of 52 points. His production of 0.9 points per game this season ranks him eighth among defensemen.
Originally drafted 26th overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2013 NHL Draft, Theodore made his NHL debut during the 2015-16 season. After spending two seasons with Anaheim, he was traded to the Golden Knights in exchange for Vegas taking on Clayton Stoner’s contract in the expansion draft. Among the original members of the Golden Knights, he is one of only five players still with the team, having spent the past seven seasons and winning a Stanley Cup in 2023.
Currently in the sixth year of a seven-year contract with a $5.2 million cap hit, Theodore signed this extension just before the start of the 2018-19 season.
