Pietrangelo's price tag just went up.

[DaDitka]

Alex Pietrangelo will be a restricted free agent after next season and there is talk that the Blues are already working on signing him to a new deal this offseason. That price tag just jumped....and significantly.Last night the Ottawa Senators rewarded their start 22 year old defenseman with a 7 year 45.5 million dollar deal.

To be fair he is a finalist for the Norris trophy and scored 27 more points then Alex, so one should assume he could demand more cash the Petro. However, any time the 'bar' is raised, all amounts below that adjust accordingly.

Any hope of getting Alex to sign a 4 year 16 million dollar deal probably just went out the window. I would assume Alex would probably prefer to playout this year and with an increase in his offensive numbers he could make a strong case for a similar contract.Something like 6 years around 36 mill (6 mill a year instead of 6.5 and a year less since he'd be a year older).

Here's hoping maybe they can reach a middle ground on a shorter team deal like 3 years for around 15 mill. Giving him a nice increase this year and giving both sides a couple more years to see where he really fits in the class of elite defenseman.

[cprice12]

Being a Norris finalist played a huge part in that contract.

I wouldn't bet that this bumps Petro's contract up by that much.

[kodos]

Petro is going to get a monster deal. It's inevitable.

Doughty signed an 8 year $64 million dollar contract at 22, and before he did jack squat in the playoffs.

Petro can probably be had for a little less at this point, but it's going to be a chunk of change.

[philco_3]

I can't believe he won the Norris trophy...awarded to the best defense man my ass. They should have a separate award for scoring defense man.

[WaukeeBlues]

I can't believe he won the Norris trophy...awarded to the best defense man my ass. They should have a separate award for scoring defense man.

They do. It's called the Selke.

[Winning Unlimited]

There is an RFA we might be able to sign.

Any thoughts on trying to sign Erik Johnson to an RFA contract? 3-4M/year and give up a first pick? Could happen.

[thedoc]

If I was Pie I would play out my year and see what my numbers dictate. Unless he has a bad injury his value is only going to go up.

[theohall]

Price tag staying higher. Pietrangelo is better than Wideman. Caps trade Wideman to Flames.

Flames sign him for 5 years, 26.25 million.

[STLADOGG]

If Petro continues to improve I expect 6-6.5 a year.

[DaDitka]

If Petro continues to improve I expect 6-6.5 a year.

I think you are right and that's why I don't think there is any chance he signs an extension this offseason.

[glen a richter]

If Pie doesn't re-sign, the Blues are in a heap of trouble. (Cue Waukee saying "I told you so" with regard to his assertion that we HAD to draft a defenseman with the first pick). Many players on this team are interchangeable, I think. Hitch has a system that you can swap one guy in for another and it'll work good enough. But Pie and Shatty are the two who desperately need to stay aboard. I'm talking Pronger/MacInnis'esque. If Pie wants 7 mil a year to stay, then I say fine. Give him one of those crazy cap circumventing contracts and pay him the money. And Shatty too, when his time comes.

[DaDitka]

If Pie wants 7 mil a year to stay, then I say fine. Give him one of those crazy cap circumventing contracts and pay him the money. And Shatty too, when his time comes.

I think we will, just not this offseason. The team was hoping to work something out with him this offseason to 1) save some money 2) because they will have Shatty, Bergie, and Stew all up next offseason and probably DP again as well.

Pie will be a Blue for many many years to come (I have no doubt), I just think the teams hopes of signing him to a shorter extension for a little less just went up in smoke.