Word has spread through St. Louis that starting defenseman, Alex Pietrangelo, is to undergo surgery on a reported lower-body injury. Though, Blues fans don’t need to loose their cool, the surgery is considered minor.
Pietrangelo suffered a hit from Dwight King of the Los Angeles Kings last season during Game 1 of the Western Conference finals, causing Pietrangelo to miss the following game. It is unknown at this time if the surgery is related to that hit or not.
Although Pietrangelo is expected to be ready for training camp, set to start September 21, the timing of the surgery may cause some hockey fans to do a double take.
(Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
The players are coming off months of down-time in the off-season, and if the injury was related to a hit Pietrangelo took last season, one would think that he would have the surgery during that time, allowing him an opportunity to rest, workout and bounce-back.
Unless the surgery is not related to last season’s hit at all, and Pietrangelo suffered some kind of injury during off-season training. Either way, the Blues and their fans will be happy as long as he’s game-ready by training camp and the start of the season.
Even as a defenseman, Peitrangelo was able to climb to the number three spot on St. Louis’ scoring list last season, following closely behind T.J. Oshie and David Backes by only three points. Pietrangelo was able to rack up 51 points last season, leading all other defensemen in scoring on the team.
It’s also important to note that Pietrangelo only missed one game all last season, so though he’ll be in surgery now, it’s against his character to miss hockey games.
Pietrangelo’s scoring prowess and ability to make an impression on the ice every night cause many to throw his name around in the same sentence as the phrase ‘Norris Trophy contender.’ A minor surgery won’t hold a young Pietrangelo back from that chance, and the Blues are too excited for a successful season to be overly concerned.
DaveSchauer
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