Gut-punch loss in the end; Panthers star players outperformed Blues' best; starting slow yet again, saved by Hofer to give St. Louis a chance During the 2020 NHL off-season, the St. Louis Blues [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/st-louis-blues/] lost star defenseman and former captain Alex Pietrangelo to the Vegas Golden Knights [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights/]in free agency. Losing Pietrangelo undoubtedly hurt the Blues' defensive group, as he was their top star and No. 1 defenseman. However, it turns out that Pietrangelo's Blues tenure almost ended differently a few years before. In a recent episode of The Sheet [https://x.com/DailyFaceoff/status/1887229625685975109?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1887237119665426804%7Ctwgr%5E5b2e5506f73f6b9a146ca8587c744d10b8df20b5%7Ctwcon%5Es3_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fathlonsports.com%2Fnhl%2Ftoronto-maple-leafs%2Fwilliam-nylander-nearly-traded-blues-alex-pietrangelo], NHL insider Jeff Marek revealed that the Blues almost traded Pietrangelo to the Toronto Maple Leafs for star forward William Nylander. Alex Pietrangelo & William Nylander [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjEyNjY5NjcwMTUzNTI4OTYw/usatsi_13477838.jpg] Alex Pietrangelo & William Nylander "It wasn't that long ago that it was pretty close, that he [Nylander] was going to St. Louis, and Alex Pietrangelo was going the other way to the Toronto Maple Leafs," Marek said. In 2018, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman also reported [https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/31-thoughts-leafs-wouldnt-trade-nylander-pietrangelo/] the Blues and Maple Leafs discussed a Pietrangelo and Nylander trade, but Toronto decided against it. This would have been a massive trade for both clubs. The Blues would have landed a star forward who they would have built their offense around. The Maple Leafs, on the other hand, would have secured a proper No. 1 defenseman for their right side. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjEyNjY5ODg3MzE3ODc4Mjgx/usatsi_13982532.jpg] However, in the end, it is fair to say that the Maple Leafs must be happy with their decision to keep Nylander in Toronto. The 28-year-old winger has emerged as a superstar in Toronto and is a significant part of their core. However, the Blues also won the Stanley Cup in 2019, so hanging on to Pietrangelo undoubtedly benefitted them, too. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjEyMjczMTg5NjQyODM5Njgw/google-news.png] Stay updated with the most interesting Blues stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwreDfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] to never miss a story.
