Which teams have the best chance of signing Alex Pietrangelo in NHL free agency?
According to Darren Dreger, the St. Louis Blues are likely going to let their captain Alex Pietrangelo test NHL free agency. For the first time in his career, the Stanley Cup champion will be on the open market.
It’s rare to see a player of Pietrangelo’s caliber hit the open market. However, the flat salary cap ceiling has created the perfect storm. Just like John Tavares two years ago and Artemi Panarin last year, Pietrangelo will be the crown jewel of this year’s free agent class.
Pietrangelo likely isn’t taking a discount on the open market. He still might take one to stay with the Blues, where he has played in his entire career and where his wife is from, but once free agency starts, all bets are off. Pietrangelo will be looking to join a Stanley Cup contender and will be looking to make a ton of money. And he has earned that right.
Which teams have the best chance of signing Pietrangelo? Let’s look at three teams who should sign him.
Dark Horse: Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are in a very unique position. Their Stanley Cup window is wide open. But at the same time, they have some young defensemen coming up on the right side. Cale Makar is already a stud. Conor Timmins is likely going to be an NHL player. Keep in mind they have Erik Johnson too.
To sign Pietrangelo, the Avalanche are going to have to get a little bit lucky. Their best offer for Pietrangelo might be a one-year deal. With the flat salary cap, they can’t afford to let Pietrangelo’s contract interfere with them signing Makar to what will most likely be a very lucrative deal after the 2020-21 season.
Let’s say Pietrangelo doesn’t quite like what he’s getting offered in free agency. Maybe he goes to the Avalanche and signs a one-year deal with them. This would immediately make the Avalanche the team to beat in the Western Conference. Pietrangelo would be a terrific mentor for Makar and Bowen Byram, even if it’s merely for one year.
Is it probably happening? Absolutely not. But would we like to see it? Sure. It would be really fascinating to see a free agent take a one-year deal in this market and just go after a Stanley Cup. The Avalanche would be a perfect team to do this with.