Blues Rumors: Colton Parayko Emerging as Trade Candidate

The St Louis Blues are going to make a few deals before the March 8 trade deadline as GM Doug Armstrong is looking to re-tool his roster. The Blues have already fired their head coach this season and currently sit three points out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Armstrong is running out of bullets so something has to give.

According to David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period, he sees defenseman Colton Parayko as a trade candidate this season. Parayko is no stranger to trade rumors, however holds all of the cards considering he has a full no-trade clause until 2028-29.

The towering blueliner is owed $6.5 million per season for the next six seasons and so far in 2023-24, has registered 11 points in 36 games. His best season came back in 2018-19 when he recorded a career-high 10 goals during the regular season and also added another 12 points in 26 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

Parayko will be 31 in May and could be someone the Blues move out off to solidify some more offense up front. Here's what Pagnotta had to say about Parayko being ranked #3 on his trade board:

Blues GM Doug Armstrong isn’t afraid to make bold moves and Parayko’s name swirled around the trade winds this time last year leading up to the trade deadline. Parayko has a full NTC and six more years left on his contract. It’ll take a big deal, and his approval, to make something happen.

The Blues currently have a projected $2.9 million in deadline cap space to navigate and will certainly be active in the next two months on the trade market. A Parayko trade could have the Calgary Flames involved, so keep an eye on that moving forward.

Times flies when you're having fun!

Colton Parayko has now tied Al MacInnis for fifth in franchise history in games played by a defenseman (613). #stlblues pic.twitter.com/ZJ9aH4fqeu
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) December 31, 2023

Robert Thomas on Colton Parayko's impact this season: "He gets the toughest matchups every night. He has to play against the best players. He's done a great job defending them." #stlblues pic.twitter.com/cimKstDoFJ
— Bally Sports Midwest (@BallySportsMW) December 28, 2023