"Cap circumventing again", "Evan Bouchard is the only correct choice": Hockey fans react as Alex Pietrangelo withdraws from 4 Nation Face-Off tourney

NHL fans took to social media to express their reactions after the Vegas Golden Knights announced that defenseman Alex Pietrangelo had withdrawn from the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.

The team shared on Sunday that Pietrangelo needed to step back to address an ailment and focus on preparing for the rest of the regular season with the Golden Knights. Notably, the 35-year-old veteran is not currently dealing with an injury.

"Update: Alex Pietrangelo will be withdrawing from the 2025 4Nations Face-Off to tend to an ailment and prepare for the remainder of the regular season with Vegas," the team posted on X.

Alex Pietrangelo became the first player to exit the tournament, which features the United States, Sweden, Canada, and Finland. Pietrangelo was one of the most experienced players on the Canadian roster.

Here's how fans on X (formerly Twitter) reacted to the news. One said:

"Cap circumventing again I see."

Another chimed in:

"Evan Bouchard is the only correct choice."

Here are some of the other top reactions on X:

"We all know this tournament is a sham. The best players aren’t being represented It’s a bias roster Why would anyone want to play when the Stanley Cup is what we want Not to potentially get knicked up," one X user opined.

"Will the NHL look at punishment for skipping the tournament? Pietrangelo is not on IR, nor has missed any recent games. Is there a rule against this? Would love to hear it on the pod," a third fan opined.

"Weegar, Hamilton, Bouchard, doughty/Dobson of healthy. Montour, Tanev. They got tons of options," another user wrote.

"I hope few more star players declines like him..the 4 nations cup has nothing there to archive for the NHL players…After this tournament one team may miss their star player to an injury and possibly miss playoff because of that...." another chimed in.

Team Canada yet to find Alex Pietrangelo's replacement

Team Canada has yet to announce a replacement for Alex Pietrangelo following his withdrawal from the best-on-best tournament, with the deadline for making changes set for Feb. 11, a day before the tournament kicks off.

Several right-shot defensemen are being considered as potential candidates to fill the vacant spot. Notable names include Dougie Hamilton (NJD), Evan Bouchard (EDM), Aaron Ekblad (FLA), and Drew Doughty (LAK).

The 4 Nations Face-Off tournament is scheduled to begin on Feb. 12, with Canada facing off against Sweden at the Bell Centre.