NHL Trade Rumors: Maple Leafs and Blues discussing Colton Parayko

The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking to add some defense while the St. Louis Blues want to add some scoring to their roster. According to the latest NHL trade rumors, the two sides could work something out involving defenseman Colton Parayko.

It’s rare to see a pure hockey trade in the NHL today. However, the latest NHL trade rumors suggest one is quite plausible. As everyone knows, the Toronto Maple Leafs want to upgrade their defense. Meanwhile, the St. Louis Blues would love to add some scoring.

The worst kept secret in the NHL is that the former has an excess of talented forwards while the latter has an excess of quality defensemen. Could something be worked out between the two teams?

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According to a recent article from Howard Berger, the two sides have been discussing a trade which would send defenseman Colton Parayko to Toronto. Though, as he notes, it would require a significant package from Toronto to pry him loose from St. Louis.

Colton Parayko, however, is someone worth paying an expensive price tag for. He’s among the NHL’s best defensemen and is signed for the next four seasons at a very reasonable cap hit of $5.5 million. Last season, he accumulated six goals and 29 assists for 35 points.

Parayko’s also one of the few defensemen in the NHL who could give the Leafs one of the top 15 defenses in the league. And, other than Erik Karlsson and perhaps Jacob Trouba, the only one who is available in a trade.

However, as mentioned earlier, it would take quite a return for St. Louis to not hang up immediately if asked about him. The Maple Leafs have someone who would be a tremendous help to the Blues. Specifically, restricted free agent William Nylander would look mighty good with a musical note on his sweater.

Both Parayko and Nylander are players who their respective team wouldn’t move unless it was in the right trade. A straight up trade could make sense for both sides. Considering Nylander’s a wing and Parayko’s a defenseman, it’s safe to say Toronto would have to add a little bit to make this hypothetical trade even.

Parayko would give the Leafs something about as rare as a unicorn – a controllable top-pairing caliber right-handed defenseman. It’s been a very long time since Toronto has had one of those. And if any team could lose someone as talented as Nylander and still have an outstanding offense, it’s the Leafs.

Meanwhile, Nylander would give St. Louis a talented forward who you can pencil in for at least 50 points a year. Of course, him signing a reasonable long-term extension would be a key part of the trade.

That said, it’s difficult to see either team deal their respective player. Toronto’s best chance of winning a Stanley Cup right now includes Nylander. Likewise, after massively improving their roster, St. Louis likely doesn’t want to trade Parayko for now.

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Players like Parayko and Nylander are rarely traded, so the chances of the two being traded for each other are slim at best. But the two sides have created a bit of smoke. Somewhere down the line, it might become a fire.

For updated NHL trade rumors, check out our Rumors page.

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