It's rare that the Vegas Golden Knights make a splashy signing on the free agent market. A majority of their big moves come via trade, where names such as Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, and Noah Hanifin have come into the mix. In turn, prospects have gone out the door, signaling that the team's ready to contend.
However, there's one signing that stands out from the crowd. Alex Pietrangelo was signed by the Golden Knights in 2020, agreeing to a seven-year, $61.6 million deal. The former St. Louis Blues defenseman came off winning the Stanley Cup, providing stability on the blue line. But he was the elite defender Vegas was searching for, which signaled they were ready to finish their story.
So in comes Pietrangelo, bringing his all-out style with him. He throws his body into every play, blocking shots and taking pucks away. In fact, he's done well for himself during his Golden Knights career. He's blocked 581 shots and committed 222 takeaways in his four years with the team. The Canadian defender has also notched 119 assists in that span, which comes out to 29.75 assists per season.
It's no surprise that the blue liner has been a positive for the Golden Knights. He's made his teammates around him better, including William Karlsson and Mark Stone. However, there could be more to his game as he heads into the twilight of his career.
So let's look at what fans can expect from the 34-year-old defenseman this season. What's in store for Pietrangelo in 2024-25? Will he continue to play at a high level as he has in previous seasons? Here's what the future holds for the Canadian blue liner as we prepare for the new hockey year.
Factors that could determine Alex Pietrangelo's season
Alex Pietrangelo has made a name for himself on the Vegas Golden Knights power play. He's played well with names such as William Karlsson and Mark Stone, acting as the team distributor. Now, he'll have newer faces on the unit for a whole season, including Tomas Hertl and Alexander Holtz.
The good news is Holtz can grow into his new role with the Golden Knights. He wasn't given much chance in New Jersey, where the Devils didn't see much in him. However, he can become a lethal goal-scorer in the slot, gaining valuable experience from a seasoned veteran like Pietrangelo.
The unit will also have seasoned veterans like Hertl and Victor Olofsson, giving the defenseman more ammo. With Hertl's big body in front of the net and Olofsson's offensive acumen, Pietrangelo can expand his role as a power play facilitator. That's great for a historically weakened power play unit needing bite. How he does with the newer players will determine his overall production with the Golden Knights in 2024-25.