Alex Pietrangelo, the former St. Louis Blues defenseman currently with the Vegas Golden Knights, is facing a challenging off-season ahead. According to David Pagnotta from The Fourth Period, Pietrangelo is dealing with “serious injuries” that will require “multiple major surgeries.” As a result, he is expected to miss the entire 2025-26 NHL season at a minimum, leaving fans and teammates with concerns about his future.
This update sheds light on previous uncertainties surrounding Pietrangelo’s availability for the upcoming season, indicating that he will indeed be sidelined. Despite his struggles, Pietrangelo had a commendable season, playing in 71 regular-season games and contributing four goals and 33 points, alongside an impressive 139 blocks and a plus-11 rating. During the playoffs, he added two goals and six points in 10 games.
Pietrangelo, who was selected fourth overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, spent his first 12 seasons with the Blues, where he solidified his reputation as a top defenseman, accumulating 109 goals and 341 assists for a total of 450 points and a plus-77 rating. Notably, he captained the Blues from 2016 to 2020 and played a crucial role in their Stanley Cup victory in 2019.
In related news, former Blues goaltender Ville Husso has recently signed an extension with a new team, showcasing the ongoing movement of players in the league as various teams make changes to their rosters in preparation for the next season.
Pietrangelo’s situation brings forth an important conversation about player health and recovery in the sport, emphasizing the need for teams to prioritize long-term welfare over immediate performance. Fans remain hopeful for his recovery and wish him a successful surgery and rehabilitation process.