Vegas is probably going to move on from its “best teammate ever.”
One of the last players to leave the rink in gold was 36-year-old Alec Martinez as the Golden Knights bid farewell to the 2023–24 season.
The seasoned defenseman does not have a contract for the upcoming campaign, which has created a great deal of concern about his future in the NHL and in Vegas.
Martinez has participated in 818 games during the regular season and 131 more during the postseason. He’s been one of the league’s most reliable, diligent, and driven defensemen for years, having won three Stanley Cups with two separate teams. Martinez has been the NHL’s top blocker since 2013, stopping a ridiculous 1,644 shots, or 7.11 shots every 60 minutes.
He has contributed his fair share of offensive in Vegas in addition to scoring a pair of huge goals for the Los Angeles Kings in overtime during the playoffs.
If Martinez’s retirement is indeed his final one, his teammates will remember him more for who he was off the ice than for his on-ice accomplishments.
Despite his incredible career and several Stanley Cups won, he is still a really special person, and it’s a pleasure to work with him every day. I’m not sure what the future holds for him, but a lot of guys seem to like having him around. There aren’t many people in the world that can compare to him. -Alex Pietrangelo
Having visited the locker room and talked to numerous players about Martinez over the years, almost all of them would probably agree with Pietrangelo’s next statement.
I think he’s one of my all-time finest teammates, if not the best one. -Pietrangelo
The Golden Knights’ roster is prepared to go forward even without #23 on it. The changing room, perhaps not so much.
Alec Martinez makes any locker room better than it would be, for that reason.
It is a pleasure to work with him every day, and he remains a truly wonderful person despite his amazing career and multiple Stanley Cup victories. Many guys seem to enjoy having him around, but I’m not sure what the future holds for him. There aren’t many individuals on the planet like him. -Alex Pietrangelo