2 Teams Emerge As Prefered Destinations for Colton Parayko

St. Louis Blues defenceman Colton Parayko

Colton Parayko made his decision earlier today. After the St. Louis Blues agreed on a trade to send him to the Buffalo Sabres late Wednesday, the 6-foot-6 defenseman decided to invoke his no-trade clause and blocked the deal. But that doesn't mean he won't agree to be dealt to a destination of his choosing.

Parayko, 32, has spent his entire 11-year NHL career in St. Louis, and he'd prefer to stay. But with the team attempting a major sell-off, he could be asked to waive his NTC once again. He wants to stay in the Western Conference, reports insider Kevin Weekes, and he names two destinations that Parayko would prefer.

Update Re @StLouisBlues D Parayko,
I’m told his preference as of now is
to stay in the West, and he’s open to
the @LAKings and @AnaheimDucks
among potential landing spots.#HockeyX pic.twitter.com/n19TVEVXMr
— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) March 5, 2026

Weekes reported that the veteran right-shot d-man would be open to the Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks.

Kings & Ducks are prefered landing spots Colton Parayko would agree to

The Kings, of course, are desperate for offense after losing both Kevin Fiala and Andrei Kuzmenko for the rest of the season in the past few weeks. But a reliable, top-four, lockdown defenseman is on the wish list as well.

While Parayko did set career highs with 16 goals and 36 points last season, he's known more for his shutdown abilities on the blueline, and his physicality and reach in the defensive zone. But he is mobile and a good skater, possessing a booming shot. He's down to just one goal and 14 points, however, this season.

He'd also be a great fit for the Ducks, if they have interest. They have emerged from their rebuild as a true playoff contender this season under Joel Quenneville. They're just one point back of the Vegas Golden Knights for top spot in the Pacific, and three points up on Edmonton. Acquiring Parayko would make them a legitimate contender to come out of the division. They certainly have enough cap space to take on the $6.5M AAV owed the d-man over four more seasons.