Alex Pietrangelo is a restricted free agent without a contract, but the St. Louis Blues defenceman is trying to avoid worrying about his situation while taking part in Canada’s Olympic camp.
"I’ve just kind of been moving forward as if I’m going to start the season like a regular year," Pietrangelo said. "I’ve been working hard all summer, trying to put it behind me here for this week and trying to enjoy this process and hopefully something gets done here in the short term."
Blues general manager Doug Armstrong is in Calgary as part of Hockey Canada’s management team and coach Ken Hitchcock is around as part of Babcock’s staff. Pietrangelo said the three shared the mind-set that "hopefully something gets done."
New Jersey Devils restricted-free-agent centre Adam Henrique just signed his deal, six years and $24 million, Monday. New York Rangers restricted-free-agent defenceman Ryan McDonagh, whose stats are similar to Pietrangelo’s, recently signed a contract worth $28.2 million over six years.
Asked if he was confident a new deal would get done, Pietrangelo said he has to be. He’s not thinking about the potential Olympic consequences if he’s not on the ice to start the regular season.
"I’m not even thinking about holding out," the 23-year-old said. "I’m thinking about training camp and being there September 11, 12, whenever we’re going to start up, and be ready for the first game of the season."