Major trade scenario surfaces bringing a top-four defenseman to the Toronto Maple Leafs
Photo credit: TSN
The Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly exploring a blockbuster trade to acquire top-4 defenseman Colton Parayko from the St. Louis Blues.
Brad Treliving, the Leafs' general manager, has already made several significant moves during the offseason, including the additions of Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and signing Timothy Liljegren to a two-year extension.
However, recent reports suggest that Treliving might be contemplating yet another major addition to his blue line. The target? Colton Parayko, the 31-year-old defenseman who has spent his entire NHL career with the St. Louis Blues and won the Stanley Cup in 2019 under the coaching of Craig Berube, who now leads the Leafs.
Parayko, who is under contract for five more years at an annual average value (AAV) of $6.5 million, is a valuable asset for the Blues. Acquiring him would undoubtedly come at a significant cost for the Maple Leafs, and according to a trade proposal suggested by Heavy.com, the price could be steep:
Proposed trade details generated using PuckPedia's PuckGM tool
Maple Leafs would receive:
Colton Parayko
In return, the St. Louis Blues would acquire:
Timothy Liljegren
Fraser Minten
Nick Robertson
David Kampf
Colton Parayko
In return, the St. Louis Blues would acquire:
Timothy Liljegren
Fraser Minten
Nick Robertson
David Kampf
This proposed deal would see the Leafs parting with an established defenseman in Liljegren, a top prospect in Minten, a young forward in Robertson, who has expressed a desire to be traded, and a reliable veteran in Kämpf. While this package might seem hefty, Parayko's addition could be pivotal for the Leafs as they aim to elevate their performance in the upcoming season.
If the trade goes through, Toronto's defensive lineup could look like this:
Rielly Tanev
OEL Parayko
McCabe Benoit
OEL Parayko
McCabe Benoit
Colton Parayko's name has been circulating in trade rumors for the past two seasons, and this offseason is no exception. According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, Parayko is on the Blues' trade watch list, and the Maple Leafs are among the teams reportedly interested in him.
«Parayko's name continues to swirl around the trade winds, as it has for the last two seasons. He has a full NTC and five more years left on his contract. It'll take a big deal, and his approval, to make something happen. But, the Blues are exploring their options and seem set on moving at least one of their defenseman this off-season,» Pagnotta wrote.
In his NHL career, Parayko has played in 659 games, amassing 61 goals and 198 assists for a total of 259 points. His potential addition to the Maple Leafs would bring both experience and stability to a defensive unit aiming to compete at the highest level.
Source for Colton Parayko's statistics: Hockey DB
Previously on Hockey Trade Rumours
| POLL | ||
2 SEPTEMBRE | 92 ANSWERS Major trade scenario surfaces bringing a top-four defenseman to the Toronto Maple Leafs Should the Toronto Maple Leafs trade for Colton Parayko? | ||
| Yes | 51 | 55.4 % |
| No | 41 | 44.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
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