It’s no secret now that the Toronto Maple Leafs need help on the defense, however with free agency set to be in October the question is, is it worth signing Alex Pietrangelo?
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been out of the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs for almost two weeks now.
Without a doubt, the management staff have definitely been talking with each other and wondering what their plans are going to be this off-season.
One of the biggest things that could happen this off-season for the Toronto Maple Leafs is signing another big free agent in Alex Pietrangelo.
Alex Pietrangelo’s Career
Alex Pietrangelo has been one of the top defensemen in the NHL for years now. He plays an incredible two-way game with putting up big numbers on the offensive side and also producing good defensive numbers too.
He is currently 30 years old and will be 31 by the mid way point of the 2020-21 NHL season.
The salary cap will be flat for the next couple years and may play a part in where he goes. The Blues cap situation is not good, so if he is to return to St. Louis they would have to clear some salary.
Here are his career stats and his 2019-20 stats from this season as well…
Career stats – 758 GP – 109 G – 341 A – 450 PTS
2019-20 stats – 70 GP – 16 G – 36 A – 52 PTS – CF% 53.13% (naturalstattrick.com).
This player has had a very good and consistent NHL career, wherever he goes will be a huge edition to that team and make them significantly better.
Is it Worth Signing Pietrangelo?
I would love Pietrangelo on the Toronto Maple Leafs, but another part of me doesn’t want him on the team either. I don’t know if it is a smart idea giving him a contract for possibly six or seven years with a price tag of around $8M potentially.
The reason why I would want him on the Toronto Maple Leafs is simply because of his championship mentality, as well as his style of game and what he brings on the ice every night. He’s a great two-way player and can be very responsible in his own end, something the Maple Leafs desperately need.
On the other hand, giving out long term deals to 30 year olds is not usually a good idea. Pietrangelo would give the Leafs a better chance of winning in the short term, but his contract would be Marleau-esque in a few years.
The Leafs have a good team and a few good defensive prospects. At this point it may be better to develop from within than to spend huge on an established player. There may also be cheaper options available that make more sense financially.
All in all my final decision if it is worth the Toronto Maple Leafs signing Alex Pietrangelo in free agency, I am going to have to say no it is not worth it.
Unless he unexpectedly chooses to sign a short-term deal, the Leafs should be looking elsewhere.