David Becker / AP
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore (27) eyes the puck against Dallas Stars defenseman Esa Lindell (23) during the third period Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, in Las Vegas.
Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023 | 11:34 a.m.
Star defenseman Shea Theodore underwent surgery involving an upper-body injury and is week-to-week, the Golden Knights announced today.
Theodore hasn't played since Nov. 22 against Dallas. He played a team-high 24:42 that ended with a 1:23 shift in overtime, seconds before Jack Eichel scored the game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory.
The 28-year-old defenseman didn't play the past three games and was placed on injured reserve Sunday prior to Vegas' three-game road trip through Western Canada. That trek ends Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks (7 p.m., Vegas 34).
The Golden Knights have dealt with multiple injuries on their blue line through the first quarter of the season. Along with Theodore, Alec Martinez (lower body) has missed the past four games. His status is uncertain heading into Thursday. Zach Whitecloud (upper body) missed the first 14 games of the year, and Nic Hague (lower body) missed two weeks, from Oct. 31 to Nov. 18.
Not having Theodore in the lineup, though, is a different story. Theodore was having a career-best start with 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) through 20 games, which had him in the top five in scoring among defensemen.
Rookie defenseman Kaedan Korczak has played in Theodore's spot — the right side on the second pairing next to Brayden McNabb — the past two games. Ben Hutton, who scored his first goal of the season in Tuesday's 5-4 loss to Edmonton, is also expected to be an option for more playing time.
Danny Webster can be reached at 702-259-8814 or [email protected]. Follow Danny on Twitter at twitter.com/DannyWebster21.
