With Alex Pietrangelo and Noah Hanifin standing guard on the Las Vegas Golden Knight’s blue line, it may be forever impenetrable. Two of the most steadfast and impressive defensemen in the league could be the iron-clad defensive line every team prays for. The upcoming season’s motto could resonate with the Vegas arena: the fortress.
Alex Pietrangelo
Alex Pietrangelo is one of the most powerful defensemen in the NHL. Alex Pietrangelo, nicknamed “Petro,” was first drafted into the NHL in 2008. After playing for the Niagara team in the OHL, he was selected the fourth overall pick by the St. Louis Blues. During an outstanding twelve years with St. Louis, he earned the title of captain in the last four. To add to his impressive history, he succeeded as captain, leading his team to win the 2019 Stanley Cup Championship. On October 10, 2020, Alex Pietrangelo signed a seven-year contract with Las Vegas worth $61.6 million.
Pietrangelo became the second player in NHL history to score a “cup-clinching goal” against Bruce Cassidy and his team, only to win a Stanley Cup Championship with Bruce Cassidy as his coach a few years later. The first occurrence of this ironic situation was by Cy Denney in the 1920’s. While playing for the Golden Knights, Pietrangelo was selected twice to play in the All-Star games. He also played in the All-Star games in 2018 while captain of the St. Louis Blues. At thirty-four, Pietrangelo has played over 1,000+ games in the NHL and is not by any means slowing down.
Noah Hanifin
The American-born defenseman from Boston, Massachusetts, first started his dignified NHL career in 2015. Being the fifth overall pick, he had some expectations to deliver on. At the age of eighteen, he made his NHL debut for the Carolina Hurricanes. After scoring his first NHL goal roughly a month later, the Hurricanes incorporated him regularly in their shifts. Hanifin has polished his skills over the years. Like Alex Pietrangelo, he also played in the 2018 All-Star games.
Hanifin’s professional career has been anything but mediocre. Out of 678 games total and 1261 shots on goal, he has a total of 286 points. In a three-party trade with the Philadelphia Flyers and the Calgary Flames, Vegas secured Hanifin. The exchange for Hanifin entailed the trade of defenseman Daniil Miromanov, a conditional third-round pick to Calgary, and the Flyers receiving a fifth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. The Golden Knights were sure to lock Hanifin down before the deadline of the 2025 trade season. He signed an eight-year contract with an overall value of $58.8 million.
The Two All-Stars: Invincible
Alex Pietrangelo and Noah Hanifin’s records cannot be dismissed. The two-time Stanley Cup Champion and the All-Star have careers that are nothing short of impressive. With the merger of the two seasoned, highly skilled players, not only could they hold the line, but they could prepare and mentor the younger players. If the thrilling off-season hasn’t excited you for the upcoming season, the dynamic of these two players has to. The 2024-2025 Las Vegas blue line: impenetrable.
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