Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell
In this edition of the hotstove, we share our thoughts on the five-year, $27.5 million ($5.5M per) contract extension Colton Parayko signed with the St. Louis Blues.
Todd Cordell
Parayko was a restricted free agent, and offer sheets are never utilized, so he didn't have a lot of leverage in negotiations but I still think the Blues did really well here.
Despite an unsustainably low shooting percentage, Parayko still tallied a respectable 35 points and averaged more 5v5 points per 60 than notables like Alex Pietrangelo, Zach Werenski, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Drew Doughty, among many others.
The Blues are controlled a larger percentage of the shot attempts and goals with Parayko on the ice.
By all accounts, he was one of the best defenders in the league last season and, as a recently turned 24-year-old, his best years are still ahead of him.
To get him locked up at $5.5M per is a big win.
Adam French
This is a great deal for the Blues no doubt. Better for them than Parayko, if only because I think a lot of people thought his price would be higher if offer sheets would start to roll around.
For a two-way defender with his size coming off back to back 30+ campaigns it's a solid deal for a player entering his prime as a defenseman. With Shattenkirk gone, he will likely also get the opportunity to be involved more and more into the offensive role he vacated. At 24 years old this deal takes him to 29 so effectively the Blues have him cost controlled through his most important earning period. Which is rare in today's NHL. If at 29 he has worn down or become a super star they can give him the boot or the insane contract all 29 year old UFA's get from desperate GM's.
I like this deal and I like his chances of growing into a top-2 defender this year. Not sure what else to say other then...good deal?
John Jaeckel
Feels like a good deal for both the team and player.
I like Parayko. Not sure he has the overall skill set to be a true franchise level defenseman, but a nice solid value as a guy who projects in the top 4 (minimum) of a very good team, or top pairing for some teams.
If anything, because of the term and relative value, it's a better deal for the Blues, but evidently Parayko and his agent are comfortable with his situation and future there. It's not like they unwittingly left money on the table. Clearly, this is where the player wants to be.
James Tanner
Great deal for the Blues - nice and team friendly and it's almost 100% he out performs this deal, barring injury.
It's kind of crazy he signed it, as you have to figure he could have gotten $7 x 7 on an offer sheet. Given his age, relative inexperience and already high level of performance, there's a good chance this could end up being the best contract in the NHL, should he continue to improve.
Recent posts
Which team had the best off-season?
Which team had the worst off-season?
On Connor McDavid's monster extension with the Oilers
On Carey Price's monster extension with the Canadiens
Best free agent signings thus far?
Worst free agent signings thus far?
On the Stepan trade
On the Saad/Panarin trade
On the Drouin/Sergachev trade
Join the Discussion:
»