The St. Louis Blues hoped their current captain would be able to carry on the torch when it was passed to him. Though there have been bumps in the road, he has become one of the franchise’s best.
The St. Louis Blues had high hopes when they drafted Alex Pietrangelo way back in 2008. He has rewarded their trust in him by becoming one of the team’s best players overall.
Like anyone in professional sports, Pietrangelo has had his ups and downs. However, even his down years have been pretty good overall.
That consistency and quiet leadership made him just the player the Blues wanted representing them on and off the ice. Thus, when David Backes left for the riches the Boston Bruins would give him, Pietrangelo was named the team’s captain prior to the 2016-17 season.
In his second season as captain, he set a personal best for points and goals. While his point totals dipped, Pietrangelo was a key reason the team won their first Stanley Cup in 2019-20.
The interesting thing about Pietrangelo is how young he is, overall, at 29. Yet, it feels as though he has been with the Blues forever.
More from St Louis Blues News
- St. Louis Blues Giving Nick Ritchie A Look Is No Lose Situation
- St. Louis Blues Torey Krug Already Injured Before 2023-24 Season
- Former St. Louis Blues Forward Going Into Hall Of Fame
- Can Hofer Upstage Binnington in Starting Goalie Spot for Blues?
- St. Louis Blues 2023-24 fourth line depth chart could be surprisingly strong
Forever might be a bit of a stretch, but the team brought him in when he was 19 and he caught on full time when he was 21. Pietrangelo is now in his 10th full season with the Blues.
His longevity and consistency have now placed him at the top of a list that was headed up by one of the league’s best for a long time. When Pietrangelo picked up a helper on Ryan O’Reilly‘s goal against the Winnipeg Jets on December 29, 2019, he passed Al MacInnis for the top spot in franchise history for assists by a defenseman. Pietrangelo now has 326, and counting, to MacInnis’ 325.
The comparison is not quite apples to apples. MacInnis did play in parts of 10 seasons with the Blues, but some were cut off by injury at the end of his career. Big Mac also played a long time in Calgary, actually almost doubling his Blues point total with the Flames.
Nevertheless, MacInnis put up a lot of big numbers with the Blues. He won the only Norris Trophy of his career with the Blues, putting up 20 goals and 62 points. Coincidentally, Pietrangelo is currently on pace for 20 goals and 63 points.
Like Pietrangelo, MacInnis was a model of consistency. Even in a season he got hurt and only played 59 games, MacInnis still put up 54 points.
Pietrangelo also put his name further up other lists. Pietrangelo’s 429 points with the Blues is second to MacInnis’ 452 points by a defender.
Pietrangelo is now in fourth place for assists overall. He also moved into sixth place in franchise history for games played (728 and counting).
As is his way, Pietrangelo played the modest card.
“It’s good company. Those guys had pretty good careers,” Pietrangelo told Chris Pinkert on the team website. “It’s always nice to have some accomplishment, it feels pretty cool.”
Of course, how high Pietrangelo rises will depend on how he finishes this season and what happens in free agency in the summer. As of right now, it seems Pietrangelo will make it to free agent waters.
As documented, the Pietrangelo situation is rather complicated. Nobody could blame him for grabbing the money, should that happen.
However, as the franchise lists his name is ascending prove, the Blues would lose out on a quality player. There is something to be said for a player that manages to stay with one team their entire career.
Time will tell if Pietrangelo can be one of those. As of right now, he is still one of the team’s all-time best.