Vegas Golden Knights Rest Olympians Marner, Stone, Theodore

Key players given extra time off after competing in Winter Olympics

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Vegas Golden Knights have decided to rest several of their star players who recently competed in the Winter Olympics, including Mitch Marner, Mark Stone, and Shea Theodore. The team is giving these Olympians a few extra days off to recover before their next game against the Washington Capitals on Friday.

Why it matters

The Golden Knights are in the midst of a tight playoff race in the NHL's Western Conference, so having their top players healthy and rested down the stretch will be crucial. Allowing the Olympians some additional recovery time could pay dividends later in the season.

The details

Head coach Bruce Cassidy said the team "left them behind to give them a break, and we're hoping they'll be ready to join us (in Washington)." The Golden Knights played the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday night without the three Olympians, who will likely return to the lineup on Friday against the Washington Capitals.

  • The Winter Olympics gold medal game was played on Sunday, February 23, 2026.
  • The Golden Knights played the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
  • The Golden Knights will play the Washington Capitals on Friday, February 27, 2026.

The players

Mitch Marner

Canadian silver medalist at the 2026 Winter Olympics and forward for the Vegas Golden Knights.

Mark Stone

Canadian silver medalist at the 2026 Winter Olympics and forward for the Vegas Golden Knights.

Shea Theodore

Canadian silver medalist at the 2026 Winter Olympics and defenseman for the Vegas Golden Knights.

Bruce Cassidy

Head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights.

Jack Eichel

American gold medalist at the 2026 Winter Olympics and forward for the Vegas Golden Knights.

Noah Hanifin

American gold medalist at the 2026 Winter Olympics and defenseman for the Vegas Golden Knights.

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What they’re saying

“We left them behind to give them a break, and we're hoping they'll be ready to join us (in Washington). We'll have a better idea after the game, and tomorrow, we'll discuss with them.”

— Bruce Cassidy, Head Coach

What’s next

The Golden Knights will evaluate the status of Marner, Stone, and Theodore after their game against the Capitals on Friday, February 27th to determine if they will be ready to return to the lineup.

The takeaway

Resting key players after the Olympics is a smart move by the Golden Knights as they push for a playoff spot. Allowing their Olympians extra recovery time could pay dividends down the stretch and help Vegas make a deep postseason run.