Vegas Golden Knights’ Alex Tuch to miss 6 months after shoulder surgery

Igor Burdetskiy July 31, 2021

1 1 minute read

General manager Kelly McCrimmon said Friday that right wing Alex Tuch underwent shoulder last week and is expected to miss six months. That would mean Tuch could return in late February, but McCrimmon said there are a lot of variables with such a lengthy recovery process that could affect the time frame.

Tuch was the Knights’ seventh-leading scorer last season with 33 points in 55 games.

“It wasn’t an injury that really any of us expected to have this outcome,” McCrimmon said. “It wasn’t an injury that hindered his play in the playoffs. … It’s going to be a full recovery. But it does take time. These injuries take time. Especially this type of surgery.”

McCrimmon said there wasn’t one play where Tuch injured his shoulder.

It bothered him all season, but the 25-year-old played through it. He missed only one game between the regular season and the playoffs.

Tuch took a vacation after the season. When he came back, his shoulder was still bothering him. Further tests showed it needed to be surgically repaired.

Knights medical director Dr. James Dettling performed the procedure in Las Vegas. Tuch is expected to rehab in town as well.

“It’s a shoulder injury that’s not uncommon for hockey players,” McCrimmon said. “That in part gives us comfort that this is not out of the norm.”

Tuch’s injury will leave the Knights without one of their key depth scorers for much of the season. The 6-foot-4 wing has been a key player on the team’s third line. Opponents have trouble matching up with his size and speed with their bottom-six forwards and lower-pair defensemen.

It does clear up the Knights’ salary-cap situation. They entered Friday more than $37,000 over the upper limit with restricted free agents Nolan Patrick and Dylan Coghlan unsigned, but placing Tuch on long-term injured reserve will allow them to exceed the cap by up to his $4.75 million hit.

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Igor Burdetskiy

Founder, Editor-in-Chief, & CEO at Hooked on Hockey Magazine

I grew up playing Ball and Roller Hockey day and night somewhat religiously throughout elementary and middle school. The two don't compare though when I lace up the skates and hit the ice. I live and breathe hockey beyond the perspective of "it's just a game" and I will gladly talk hockey for hours with anyone. Hockey is more than just a lifestyle, it's a culture of passionate people who make memories every time the puck is dropped. Hockey has not only helped me get through some of the hardest times in life but has created some of the best memories to date. Want to talk hockey with me? Shoot me an email: iburdetskiy@hookedonhockey.com and let's talk some hockey!