Six Things Maple Leafs Fans Should Know About Alex Pietrangelo

Two days ago (September 14), Darren Pang was interviewed on TSN1050 radio and gave his insights into St. Louis Blues defenseman Alex Pietrangelo.

Who Is Darren Pang?

To give a bit of a sense who Pang is for those who might not know, he was an NHL goalie who played for the Chicago Blackhawks for three seasons. Although he played only 81 NHL games – with a 27-35-7 record and perhaps wasn’t the NHL’s greatest goalie ever, he’s an excellent hockey analyst.

Today, Pang is an “Inside the Glass” reporter for the St. Louis Blues and a part-time Sportsnet and NHL Network analyst. Before working with the Blues, he was the color commentator for the Phoenix Coyotes and a part-time TSN analyst. Pang has also been a color commentator for the St. Louis television broadcasts. The point is that he knows lots about the Blues.

Related: Would Pietrangelo Consider Short-Term Deal With the Winnipeg Jets?

Pang’s Insights about Alex Pietrangelo

During his interview on “Leafs Lunch,” Pang provided his “feel” for what was happening with the Pietrangelo negotiations between the defenseman and the Blues’ organization. The following points are extracted from the text of Pang’s commentary.

Point #1: The Negotiations Are Quiet

As Pang noted, “This is as discreet of a negotiation as I have seen in a while. Newport Management is tight to their vests. We had no word during the year whether or not there was conversation.”

Translation: Don’t expect to hear anything before it happens.

Point #2: Pietrangelo Is Holding His Cards Close to His Chest

Pang noted that he had “talked to Alex many times during the year about it, and he’d look at me and go pretty quiet. Everyone assumes he would take a hometown discount because his wife is from there and he’s got nieces and the three kids and a couple of homes there — one he uses as an investment property, and I think he’s got one in King City as well.”

Translation: There’s no denying that Pietrangelo has ties with the community. His wife and family live in St. Louis. He’s already been clear that he wants to stay in St. Louis. Although that’s clear, Pietrangelo isn’t spending a lot of time reiterating those beliefs, even with people that he speaks with a lot – like Pang.

Point #3: Pietrangelo Is Keen Businessman – He’s Pragmatic and Not Emotional

As Pang noted that, from the business side of things, “Pietrangelo is even-keeled. He takes the emotion out of it. He is a businessman in this.”

Translation: Pietrangelo isn’t going to make an emotional decision.

Point #4: Pietrangelo Wants to Stay in St. Louis, But …

Pang noted that he believed Pietrangelo “wants to stay in St. Louis. I am just not sure if the dollar figures and the economy works for him. We’ve got a whole new world here.

Translation: Pang doesn’t believe Pietrangelo will fold much on what market value for his services might be.

Point #5: Pietrangelo Had a Great Season in 2019-20

From Pang’s perspective, he believed Pietrangelo had “his best season for me, from start to finish… I was surprised he didn’t get more votes for the Norris. It is a tough cookie to crack — I get that — but boy, he had a heck of a year. He had 16 goals this year coming on the back of winning a Stanley Cup with a short offseason. I thought he was remarkable.

Translation: Pietrangelo is a really strong player and is getting better.

Point #6: Pietrangelo Is a Great Player

Pang had this to say about Pietrangelo: He is a great person. He is accountable on the defensive side of it. His PK minutes… I think what makes him so valuable is that he is also handed 5v5 time against the other team’s best players, and then he is chipping in on offensive opportunities as well.”

Translation: Pang summed it all up by saying that he was a “big fan of Alex Pietrangelo all around.” Interestingly, he spoke both about Pietrangelo the person, and Pietrangelo the player in the same breath. That suggests to him that the two are one and the same – a good player and a character person.

Related: Could Colton Parayko Shake Loose for the Maple Leafs?

Summarizing the Gist of What Pang Said

The gist of what Pang said is that, should Pietrangelo actually come to the Maple Leafs – which I still believe is doubtful – the team would be getting a fine player, leader, and person.