Let me ask you something, dear reader. Have you ever been invited (or, in some cases, forced) to go to an event you're not interested in? Sure, your aunt's getting married and you'd like to go. But it came at the worst possible time. Right now, work is more important. They persist in trying to get you to come, yet you don't care too much.
For the Vegas Golden Knights, that's certainly the case as Alex Pietrangelo (22 assists) pulled out of the tournament to heal a "nagging ailment." Now, the focus is on the rest of the regular season, where he hopes to deliver another Stanley Cup to Las Vegas.
Honestly, it's not a bad move at all. The Golden Knights are in a tight race with the Edmonton Oilers in the Pacific Division. Both teams have 68 points (would be nice to get 69) and are trying to secure home-ice advantage until the Western Conference Final, at best. Why not use that time to heal up and rest the ol' weary body?
The Vegas Golden Knights should pull out altogether
In fact, that's the mentality the team should take heading into the break. Names like Mark Stone and Jack Eichel would be nice to watch on ABC and ESPN. However, what happens if one of those players gets hurt? Now, you're down a player for the Stanley Cup playoff run and are looking for reinforcements.
Last season, injuries took hold of the Golden Knights and didn't let go. Players like Eichel (lower-body injury) and Stone (spleen) missed significant time, leaving players from the Henderson Silver Knights to fill the void. If the AHL club's recent play is any indication, that's not a good omen if superstars start dropping like flies.
Suddenly, fans are panicking about another first-round exit. Cars are being flipped over in the streets and people are banging their heads against the windows of the Cosmopolitan. Bill Murray can further describe the problems involved with a superstar like Eichel being injured at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Thank you, Bill. I hope your Chicago Cubs do well this season. Anyway, losing a superstar who has 48 assists and 66 points this season would be equivalent to a dog and cat renting an apartment together on West Sahara. We can't have that, especially if the Stanley Cup is on the line.
It doesn't have to be Jack Eichel and Mark Stone, though
The good news is NHL players won't have to sit out a game if they elect to opt out of the competition. It's a nice gesture that puts the ball in the player's court, even if it comes at the behest of the NHL planning this fun tournament.
Still, winning the Stanley Cup takes precedence over everything else, especially when you're an organization like the Vegas Golden Knights. You need players like Jack Eichel, Alex Pietrangelo, and Mark Stone on board to achieve that dream. You can't risk losing a big name that has produced for you, you know?
That's why it makes too much sense for the Golden Knights represented to sit this one out. Sure, this has been months in the making for a player like Eichel. But is it worth taking that risk and getting hurt after the past three seasons have been filled with injuries? I don't think so, Tim. Focus on fending off the Edmonton Oilers and getting back to the Stanley Cup Final. Winning the Stanley Cup is MUCH cooler than winning an exhibition tournament in February, after all.