Restricted free agent defenseman Alex Pietrangelo has come to terms on a contract extension with the St. Louis Blues, the team announced on Friday afternoon. Pietrangelo recently played out his three-year, $9.675 million entry-level contract in 2013, according to CapGeek.com.
NHL free agency: Alex Pietrangelo agrees to contract extension with Blues
The St. Louis Blues have re-signed restricted free agent defenseman Alex Pietrangelo.
Dilip Vishwanat
The two sides came to terms on a seven-year, $45.5 million contract that carries an annual average value of $6.5 million against the salary cap, according to Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Pietrangelo is considered one of the top young defenseman in the league. This left many to speculate that a rival club might attempt an offer sheet to lure him away from the Blues, but the new agreement puts an end to the possibility of such an occurrence (regardless, the Blues made it clear they would match).
The two-sides were initially struggling to find common ground with Pietrangelo reportedly pushing for an annual salary around $7 million while the Blues were looking for something closer to $6 million.
The 23-year-old registered 24 points (five goals and 19 assists), 10 penalty minutes and averaged 25:07 of ice time in 47 games last season. Originally chosen with the No. 4 overall selection in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by the Blues, Pietrangelo has participated in 224 career regular season games and collected 121 points (29 goals and 92 assists).
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