Golden Knights activate Jonathan Marchessault, Alec Martinez off IR

The Vegas Golden Knights have activated two key players off of injured reserve: Jonathan Marchessault and Alec Martinez. These activations come after it was reported earlier Saturday that both players were nearing returns.

Marchessault, 32, has missed six straight games with a lower-body injury. When healthy, he’s among the best forwards Vegas has to offer. He’s been with the team since the franchise first took the ice, and has been among their most productive players.

This season has been no different, as Marchessault has 27 points in 35 games. Marchessault is under contract for this season and next at a $5M AAV, meaning he is inching toward the end of the six-year extension he signed in 2018.

Marchessault’s return to the lineup could allow Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy to re-unite the “misfits” line, putting the talented Canadian forward back with William Karlsson and Reilly Smith. Recently, Karlsson has been skating with Paul Cotter and Phil Kessel, while Smith has played with Jack Eichel and Nicolas Roy on the team’s top line.

Martinez, 35, is a crucially important defenseman for the Golden Knights, and his return could help lessen the load shouldered by younger blueliners such as Brayden Pachal.

Martinez averages the third-most ice time on the penalty kill for Vegas and should help stabilize a defensive corps that has suffered some significant injuries. 

He has this season and next left on his $5.25M AAV, and has scored five points in 37 games this year.