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Golden Knights Sign D Alex Pietrangelo to Big Deal |
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As widely speculated, the Vegas Golden Knights have signed UFA defenseman Alex Pietrangelo to a deal. His contract is for seven years at $8.8 million per season. With the deal, Pietrangelo becomes the second highest paid Golden Knight behind only forward Mark Stone.
Pietrangelo comes from a career with the St. Louis Blues culminating in a 2018-19 Stanley Cup win. He served as the captain of the Blues for the past four seasons and instantly gives the Golden Knights defense and leadership groups a serious boost.
Last season, Pietrangelo recorded 16 goals and 36 assists for 52 points. He’s topped the 10 goal mark in each of his past four seasons. He’s the total package on the blue line and will take some of the load off budding superstar Shea Theodore. There’s no question that the Golden Knights got an elite player, the question will be at what cost.
By signing the high-profile free agent, the Golden Knights put themselves approximately $6.9 million over the salary cap. A corresponding move or moves will need to take place prior to the start of the 2020-21 season (which is believed to be slated for January 1) to become complaint. They are permitted to be over the cap for the time being.
Pietrangelo is an elite two-way defenseman on the wrong side of 30-years-old. His contract will take him past his 37th birthday and can become troublesome down the road, due to his full No Movement Clause, reported by Elliotte Friedman. In the immediate future, he will help stabilize the volatile VGK special teams units and provide a true anchor at 5-on-5.
Update: Nate Schmidt ($5.9 million cap hit) traded to the Vancouver Canucks for a 2022 3rd round draft pick. In order to clear space, the Golden Knights traded a very good defenseman to a division rival who is on the rise. The Canucks are a real threat in the Pacific Division and they just improved. Despite the loss of Tyler Toffoli, they are no pushover.
Stay tuned for more on the roster carousel we call the Vegas Golden Knights.
Vegas Golden Knights Blogger • 
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