The St. Louis Blues tried to move defenseman Colton Parayko to the Buffalo Sabres. It didn’t happen because Parayko used his no-trade clause to kill the deal. Now the rumor mill says a different team could be in play.
According to ESPN’s Ryan Clark, the Anaheim Ducks might be that team. And here’s the thing: Parayko might actually say yes to that one.
Why Anaheim Makes Sense
The Ducks just made the playoffs. They’re not a lottery team anymore. They’re a team that could mess with the Western Conference hierarchy in the next few years. Clark wrote that Parayko could accept going to Anaheim because it gives the Blues a path to clear his cap hit while grabbing assets for the future.
Anaheim also has a problem. They could lose three veteran defensemen this offseason. That would leave a big hole on their blue line. So they might go shopping for a trade, and Parayko fits the profile of what they’d want.
Parayko waited through the awkwardness of trade talks last season. He stayed in St. Louis and finished the year with the Blues. His numbers were solid: nine goals, 33 points, a plus-28 rating, and 172 blocked shots. Those underlying stats tell you he’s still effective even if the counting stats don’t jump off the page.
Clark pointed out exactly what the Ducks would be getting. Parayko brings an experienced right-handed shot who can play top-pairing minutes. He’s not cheap — both in trade capital and salary cap space — but he’d immediately upgrade a defense that gave up too many high-danger chances last season.
The Trade Market Is Moving
The NHL offseason just started and there have already been a few deals. If the Blues want to ship Parayko out, the Ducks are a real option this summer. It’s not done yet. But the pieces are there for a conversation.
Parayko has a full no-trade clause that limits where St. Louis can send him. He clearly didn’t want Buffalo. But Anaheim? That’s a playoff team with a young core and a bright future. That might be enough to get a yes.
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