Report: Alex Pietrangelo to meet with teams to get lucrative contract

Captain Alex Pietrangelo is not feeling confident about staying with the St. Louis Blues and he is finally doing something about. it. 

On Monday, the veteran defenseman, who would be a very coveted player on the free agency market, revealed that he is “disappointed” with how negotiations have gone between his agent and Blues general manager Doug Armstrong. On Friday, it was reported by team insider Jeremy Rutherford that Pietrangelo is now committed to meeting with other teams and get the real free agent experience to find the lucrative contract he is after. 

The Blues have just over $5 million in cap space to sign both Pietrangelo and restricted free agent Vince Dunn, meaning that they’ll likely have to make a trade to free up salary if they’re serious about bringing both players back. The 30-year-old Pietrangelo is expected to looking at a deal that will pay him $7+ million annually,. According to Darren Dreger of TSN, the Blues might have offered Pietrangelo $8M AAV, however, couldn’t what the lenght of the deal would be.

Pietrangelo might be after more money than the Blues can afford. Rutherford explained how three days ago, the team reportedly offered 7.7M and other agents think Pietrangelo could make 8.5 or even 9 on the open market.

Pietrangelo had 16 goals and 52 points in 70 games during the regular season, adding one goal and six points in games upon the NHL’s Return to Play. He has spent his entire career to date with the Blues, but is now considering wearing another uniform.

The Toronto Maple Leafs were expected to be in running to land Pietrangelo’s services however the price tag might be too high. The Vegas Golden Knights are also said to be high on Pietrangelo’s list of preferred destinations to pursue his career in the NHL, and could land a meeting with the defenseman now that he is committed to speaking with other clubs. 

A busy offseason for Pietrangelo … and the Blues!