From 2019 Stanley Cup to 2025: Tracking Blues Defensemen and Goalies (Part 3)

The St. Louis Blues’ 2019 Stanley Cup victory was anchored by a formidable defensive core and clutch goaltending, with players like Alex Pietrangelo and Jordan Binnington playing starring roles reviewing the final chapter of this three-part series

Part 1 

Part 2

This article traces the post-Cup careers of defensemen like Jay Bouwmeester, to Alex Pietrangelo, and goalkeepers Jake Allen and Jordan Binnington. 

From Stanley Cup repeats to retirements and resurgences, their journeys through the 2024-25 NHL season reflect the lasting impact of that historic 2019 triumph. 

Robert Bortuzzo

“Bobby Bortz” is a physical defenseman who played 59 games with three points in the 2018-19 Stanley Cup season, was a key depth player for the Blues, contributing two points in 17 playoff games. Post-2019, he remained with St. Louis through 2022-23, averaging 40-50 games per season and providing a punishing force every game he played in. In December 2023, he was traded to the New York Islanders, playing 23 games with zero points. 

For 2024-25, Bortuzzo signed a one-year deal with the Utah Hockey Club, appearing in 17 games with twi points before an njury sidelined him from December to March. He returned for Utah’s final game against St. Louis, an emotional moment that may have been his last NHL game at age 36. 

Jay Bouwmeester

Jay Bouwmeester, the veteran defenseman played 78 games with 17 points in 2018-19, logging heavy minutes as a top-four blueliner. His steady defensive play was crucial, with seven points in 26 playoff games. In 2019-20, Bouwmeester played 56 games (nine points) before a cardiac episode in February 2020 forced him to miss the rest of the season, effectively ending his playing career. He retired in January 2021 after 17 NHL seasons playing 1,240 regular season games scoring 88 goals and 424 points while averaging 24:04 of ice time each game.

Michael Del Zotto

Michael Del Zotto, acquired by the Blues mid-2018-19, played seven games with three assists and no playoff minutes during the Stanley Cup run. His tenure with St. Louis was brief, as he signed with the Anaheim Ducks for 2019-20, posting 15 points in 49 games. Del Zotto bounced around the NHL, playing for Columbus and Ottawa through 2022-23. In 2023-24, he split time between the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers and San Diego Gulls totaling 41 points in 65 games. 

Vince Dunn

Vince Dunn, a rising star during the 2019 Stanley Cup run, played 78 games with 35 points and added eight playoff points. Post-2019, Dunn remained with the Blues until 2021, when he was selected by the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft. He signed a four-year, $29.4 million deal with Seattle in 2023, emerging as their top defenseman with 64 points in 2022-23 and 46 in 2023-24. 

In 2024-25, Dunn recorded 39 points in 62 games and continues to push for another season to reach the 50-point mark. At 28, his puck-moving ability and power-play contributions have made him a cornerstone for the Kraken. 

Joel Edmundson

Another physical top-four defenseman in 2019, Edmundson played 64 games with 11 points and seven playoff points during the Blues’ Stanley Cup run. His size and defensive reliability were key. In 2020, he was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes, then moved to the Montreal Canadiens in 2021, where he played through 2022-23, peaking with twice with 13 points in 2020-21 and 2022-23. 

In 2023, Edmundson joined the Washington Capitals, and in 2024-25, he signed with the Los Angeles Kings, posting 20 points in 73 games as a shutdown defender. Now 32, Edmundson’s physicality remains his strength, though injuries, have occasionally limited him. 

Carl Gunnarsson

“Boom Boom” Gunnarsson, a defensive stalwart in the 2019 Stanley Cup run, played 25 games with seven points and appeared in 19 playoff games, contributing three points. His penalty-kill work was vital. In 2019-20, he played 36 games with six points before a knee injury ended his season. Gunnarsson retired in June 2021 at age 34 after 12 NHL seasons. His post-Cup career was brief due to injury, but his defensive reliability in 2019 remains a key part of his legacy.

Colton Parayko

Colton Parayko, a cornerstone of the 2019 Stanley Cup team, played 80 games with 28 points and added 12 playoff points, anchoring the Blues’ blue line with his size and two-way play. Post-2019, he signed an eight-year, $52 million extension in 2021, remaining a top-pair defenseman. He posted 35 points in 2021-22 and 27 in 2022-23, though injuries, including an earlier back issue, occasionally limited him. In 2024-25, Parayko played 64 games, recording 36 points, and led the Blues in ice time averaging 23:45 minutes. At 32, his defensive reliability and physicality keep him a linchpin among the Blues defenders. Parayko’s consistency since 2019, including his 2024-25 playoff appearance, continue to show his importance to the Blues lineup. 

Alex Pietrangelo

The Blues’ captain and defensive leader in 2019, played 71 games with 41 points and 19 playoff points, logging massive minutes during the Stanley Cup run. After 2019, he remained with St. Louis through 2020 before hitting free agency and signing a seven-year, $61.6 million deal with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2020. He led Vegas to the 2023 Stanley Cup, recording 54 points in 2022-23 and 10 playoff points. In 2024-25, Pietrangelo played 71 games with 33 points, remaining a top-pair stalwart at age 35. His leadership and two-way play keep him among the NHL’s elite defensemen. Pietrangelo’s departure from St. Louis was a significant loss, but his second Cup and consistent production in Vegas cement his legacy as a 2019 Blues hero.

Jake Allen

Jake Allen, the Blues’ backup goaltender in 2019, played 46 games with a .905 save percentage and appeared in one playoff game during the Stanley Cup run, supporting rookie Jordan Binnington. Post-2019, Allen remained with St. Louis through 2020, splitting starts with Binnington. In 2020, he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens, where he played through 2023-24. In 2024, Allen was traded to the New Jersey Devils, where he played 13 games to conclude the 2023-24 season, and 31 games in 2024-25 with a .908 save percentage as a backup to Jacob Markstrom. At 35, Allen’s reliability and veteran presence keep him a valuable tandem goaltender.

Jordan Binnington

Jordan Binnington, the breakout star of the 2019 Stanley Cup run, posted a .927 save percentage in 32 regular-season games and went 16-10 in the playoffs with a .914 save percentage, backstopping the Blues to their first title. Post-2019, he signed a six-year, $36 million extension in 2021, remaining the Blues’ starting goaltender. He recorded 30 wins in 2019-20 and 27 in 2022-23, and has been nearly a .500 goaltender each season since. At 32, Binnington’s fiery competitiveness and clutch performances keep him central to the Blues’ identity. Despite occasional inconsistency, his 2019 heroics and ongoing role as a starter solidify his status as a franchise cornerstone, with two years left on his contract.