With Brayden Schenn’s extension getting done so quickly in St. Louis, some wondered if the Blues would also be getting something done soon with Alex Pietrangelo. In an appearance on Sportsnet 650 (audio link), Fox Sports Midwest’s Andy Strickland provided an update on the situation, noting that GM Doug Armstrong wanted to get a deal done several weeks ago. However, an asking price around the $9MM per year range appears to be too steep for their liking. Also, Strickland notes that Pietrangelo’s agency with Newport is one that tends to stay away from a lot of early extensions in the hopes that getting closer to a firm deadline will work out to the benefit of their clients. With that in mind, it may be a while yet before something gets done.
More from the Central:
- Don’t expect the Stars to be making a big trade to try to shake things up. Speaking with NHL.com’s Mike Zeisberger, GM Jim Nill indicated that while he’s looking to see what’s available, trade talk around the league is minimal at the moment. Dallas is off to a rough start with a 1-7-1 record through their first nine games. With Martin Hanzal on LTIR and not expected to play this season, the team does have some payroll flexibility to work with if they want to add someone once the trade market picks up.
- The third defense pairing in Nashville has been a concern in the early going so far this season but Adam Vingan of The Athletic suggests (subscription required) that it’s unlikely that the Predators make a move in the near future to try to shore things up as the players that would be available at this point wouldn’t move the needle much. Their in-house options could be tried at some point (offseason acquisition Steven Santini would likely get a chance) to see if that improves things first. The team has ample cap room to try to make a move at some point if a notable upgrade becomes available but knowing that Roman Josi’s new deal is in the works, they may have to focus on the rental market which doesn’t really pick up until later in the season.