$6.5 M Veteran Blues defenseman to be traded in July?

 

The NHL trade deadline has come and gone. All excitement surrounding the annual event was muted by the league's newly minted rules. 

One big name slated to be traded by general manager Doug Armstrong of the St. Louis Blues was defenseman Colton Parayko. Locked in for four more years, with a $6.5 million average annual value (AAV) cap hit, he had a ticket to Buffalo, but exercised his ability to waive the trade. 

After much dismay surrounding his decision, he decided to stick around the Blues' ongoing retool. 

But he may not be out of the woods yet, as NHL free agency is around the corner in July, and GM Doug Armstrong could work with Parayko this time in order to find the right situation to relieve the team of his $6.5 M cap hit. 

Colton Parayko To Be Dealt In July?

Parayko would be an immediate no-brainer trade target for teams who are on the bubble of the playoffs and contenders. This explains why GM Jarmo Kekalainen was interested in acquiring his services at the beginning of March. 

Where else could Parayko find himself in July?

Since the Detroit Red Wings made a conservative move to trade for veteran defenseman Justin Faulk from the Blues at the deadline, that narrows down the landing spots for the blueliner. 

As a Stanley Cup winner, teams want that kind of pedigree in April, as someone who knows what it takes to make a deep run into June and July. 

According to NHL Insider Kevin Weekes, Parayko would welcome a change of scenery, someplace where he could stay in the West. Which could mean, teams that need an upgrade to the blueline could be his spot to call home. 

Would Parayko waive his no-trade clause for GM Stan Bowman and the Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Ducks, or maybe the Los Angeles Kings, who are poised to find a way to back to the playoffs?

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