In the summer of 2020, a significant shift occurred in the NHL’s Western Conference due to one key offseason move. The St. Louis Blues made every effort to keep their Stanley Cup-winning defenseman, but the terms didn’t satisfy either side. The Blues believed they had done all they could, while Alex Pietrangelo anticipated an irresistible offer. Ultimately, he declined their proposal, leading to his departure.
After a challenging first season in Vegas, Pietrangelo found his footing and played a crucial role in their Stanley Cup victory. Since then, the trajectories of both teams have diverged sharply. The Blues even facilitated the Golden Knights’ 2023 fire sale by trading Ivan Barbashev to them before the deadline.
Doug Armstrong still wishes things would’ve worked out between the team and Alex Pietrangelo. Full episode out now #stlblues @CamandStrick pic.twitter.com/LjfwPMApVo
— Andy Strickland (@andystrickland) September 3, 2024
VGK vs STL Since 2020-21:
- Wins: VGK (179), STL (156)
- Points: VGK (385), STL (345)
- Goals Scored: VGK (982), STL (970)
- Goals Allowed: VGK (834), STL (952)
- Playoff Wins: VGK (29), STL (6)
- Playoff Series Won: VGK (6), STL (1)
- Stanley Cup Trophies: VGK (1), STL (0)
Recently, St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong discussed on the Cam and Strick Podcast the missed opportunity that led to his former captain leaving Missouri for Nevada. It’s evident that Pietrangelo’s success with the Golden Knights continues to weigh on Armstrong.
I understand who does the work in an organization. It’s the guys on the ice. If I could go back in time to make that work, I would have done it. It didn’t work and I’m disappointed in it – Blues Gm
After the deal was finalized, the departed defenseman reminisced about his time in St. Louis, wishing things had turned out differently with the Blues. Nevertheless, he had no regrets about his new contract and the opportunity with the Golden Knights. While St. Louis’s championship window closed following their 2019 Stanley Cup victory, Vegas’s window was wide open.
That’s obviously the difficult part of making a decision like we did, right, as a family. Even the people that maybe don’t understand it, or don’t agree with it, no one really will understand except for me and my wife because it was our decision to make. People know how important the city of St. Louis is to me. Look, my kids were born there. There’s a lot of things that are special to me in that city, and it will always be that way, right? I understand both sides of it. It’s just people should know how important the city is to me and how important it will always be. But when push comes to shove, when it’s work, I’m going to have to push those feelings aside. -Alex Pietrangelo, 1/25/21
The management in St. Louis was focused on controlling their salary cap, and slightly overpaying for a familiar player didn’t align with their strategy. The two sides engaged in months of negotiations in 2019, but without reaching an agreement. Once the talks reached an impasse, it became increasingly likely that Pietrangelo would be moving on. Armstrong and his team might have underestimated the seriousness of the 3-time All-Star’s intentions. In the end, it was the player who benefited, leaving the executive in a less favorable position.
When asked about the reasons behind the deal’s breakdown, Armstrong chose not to elaborate. It seems he prefers Blues fans not to realize just how unwise it was to let Pietrangelo leave through free agency.
I don’t want to get into it. He’s still playing, and I’m still working. The next year I was doing the Olympics, and we had to make our core guys and I named him as one of those core guys. The respect I have for the guy is unbelievable and he’s still chugging along and doing a hell of a job.
Armstrong not only holds his former captain in high regard but also believes Pietrangelo deserves a place of honor in front of St. Louis’ Enterprise Center. It seems there may soon be an opportunity for another statue to join those of Bernie Federko, Brett Hull, and Al MacInnes.
There’s not a day that goes by and see those statues outside the arena, and it doesn’t cross my mind that he should have one – Blues GM
If Pietrangelo secures another Stanley Cup with Vegas, he could end up with statues in two cities by the end of his career. The future Hall of Famer has three years left on his 7-year/ $ 61.6 million contract and shows no signs of slowing down. He still takes on top lines, plays significant minutes, and thrives in every situation. When his contract with Vegas expires, he’ll be 38, at which point he could extend his time with the Golden Knights, retire, or return to St. Louis to complete his career. Regardless of how it concludes, both teams have certainly benefited from the fourth overall pick in the 2008 draft.
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