from Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe,

The right-shot Pietrangelo projects to be one of the NHL’s best defensemen, if he doesn’t already qualify. Last year, Pietrangelo had five goals and 19 assists in 47 games. He averaged 25:06 of ice time per game, most on the St. Louis roster. Pietrangelo’s most desirable comparable is Drew Doughty. The Los Angeles defenseman, drafted second overall in 2008 (two spots ahead of Pietrangelo), signed an eight-year, $56 million blockbuster after the expiration of his entry-level deal. The more applicable comparable is Zach Bogosian, the No. 3 pick in 2008. Bogosian signed a seven-year, $36 million extension with Winnipeg last month. On the flip side, neither Pietrangelo nor agent Don Meehan want to see a repeat of P.K. Subban’s situation with Montreal. Subban, also a Meehan client, held out at the start of 2013. Then Subban signed a two-year, $5.75 million bridge contract. Based on the marketplace, Subban, the reigning Norris Trophy winner, is worth at least double his $2.875 million average annual value. Pietrangelo can’t afford to hold out. The Blues are entering a critical season in their transition from young bucks into a club that should contend for a top playoff seed. Pietrangelo is also in the running for an Olympic roster spot for Team Canada in a group that includes Doughty and Subban. If a bridge deal is the only alternative, Pietrangelo needs to accept it.

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