The Toronto Maple Leafs are prioritizing defensive improvements this offseason, and one suggested trade could further enhance their efforts.
Using the PuckGM tool from PuckPedia, a user proposed that the Maple Leafs acquire Colton Parayko from the St. Louis Blues.
In this proposed trade, the Maple Leafs would receive:
- Colton Parayko
While the Blues would gain:
- Timothy Liljegren
- Fraser Minten
- Nick Robertson
- David Kampf
This potential blockbuster deal would bring Parayko, who still has five years remaining on his eight-year, $ 52 million contract, to Toronto. He could solidify the Maple Leafs’ blue line and potentially become a top-four defenseman, elevating their defensive capabilities.
Parayko won a Stanley Cup with the Blues in 2019 under coach Craig Berube, who is now at the helm of the Maple Leafs. Last season, he played 82 games, recording 10 goals and 16 assists for a total of 26 points.
Although Toronto would have to part with significant talent, the Blues would benefit from adding younger players as part of their rebuilding efforts. Liljegren, a former first-round pick, is only 25 but has struggled to maintain a spot in the Maple Leafs’ lineup.
Minten, a second-round selection in 2022, initially made the Maple Leafs roster out of training camp last season but didn’t stay. Still, he could fit in at the bottom of the Blues lineup this year.
Robertson, currently an NHL player, has requested a trade, indicating he does not intend to re-sign with Toronto. He could be projected as a top-six forward with the Blues.
Lastly, Kampf, a fourth-line center, would be included to help balance the trade financially.
Maple Leafs GM Suggests More Moves Ahead
As NHL training camps are set to begin in September with the regular season kicking off in October, the offseason is nearing its end.
Despite this, Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving has indicated that further roster improvements could be on the horizon.
“We’re not finished yet. We’re still exploring ways to enhance our team,” Treliving stated on OverDrive on TSN 1050. “At the end of last season, I mentioned that we would evaluate everything. Sometimes, people get caught up in the idea of making a significant change for the sake of it. However, making major adjustments that don’t ultimately improve the team doesn’t make sense just to say, ‘Look, we made a big change.’”
The Maple Leafs have just over $ 1.2 million in cap space, giving them the potential to make another move. Although it’s unclear what that might be, the team has been connected to left-wingers.
Parayko Identified as a Trade Target
Colton Parayko’s name has surfaced in trade discussions, even though he has five years left on his contract.
According to David Pagnotta from The Fourth Period, Parayko is on his trade watch list for the summer, with the Maple Leafs noted as a potential suitor.
“Parayko’s name continues to circulate in trade rumors, as it has for the last two seasons. He has a full no-trade clause and five years remaining on his contract. It would require a substantial deal and his consent to finalize anything. However, the Blues are exploring their options and appear determined to move at least one of their defensemen this offseason,” Pagnotta reported.
In his NHL career, Parayko has played 659 games, tallying 61 goals and 198 assists for a total of 259 points.
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