Leafs Analyst Breaks Down What It Would Take for the Maple Leafs to Land Colton Parayko
NHL Analysts Nick Kypreos, Justin Bourne and Sam McKee touched on the latest Real Kyper and Bourne podcast regarding the potential cost of acquiring Colton Parayko.
With so much talk about the Toronto Maple Leafs' trade plans, it's been a flurry of wild speculation regarding just exactly who the team is looking to bring in, and they've been linked to some pretty big names.
One name that's bounced around recently is Colton Parayko, St. Louis' stud defenseman who could fetch a hefty return if GM Doug Armstrong is willing to part with him.
But his cost is going to be enormous, and was a topic of discussion of the latest Real Kyper and Bourne podcast where co-hosts Nick Kypreos, Justin Bourne and Sam McKee talked about what Toronto could offer:
Parayko's value has never been higher, Doug Armstrong will hit a home run with this guy. These is the names you wanna hear from the Maple Leafs. - Nick Kypreos
I gotta think if Doug Armstrong gets a roster player plus a prospect he might take a Domi or a Kampf to balance the money out.
Bobby McMann needs to be part of it, no question. But if he's the key to the deal outside of the prospects then you get it done. - Sam McKee
So can the Maple Leafs actually pull it off?
Toronto Going All-In The Riskiest Move With The Biggest Reward
Look, this is potentially the best chance Toronto is going to have to win the Stanley Cup this season. If the team makes the move to go all-in, it shows a commitment to fans that they have't seen in years.
But is ending a 55+ year Stanley Cup drought worth that cost?
Yes, especially given if the cost ends up being a package of Fraser Minten, Bobby McMann and a pick or two.
I love McMann's game, but he is still a bit of a wild card, and who knows how long he can sustain his production. Minten can hang in the NHL, and could be a big time player for the Blues in the next couple years.
But you're adding a Stanley Cup winner, with experience playing in your current head coach's system and has proven that he can lead in the playoffs and gives Toronto a true Top-4 on the back end.
This season has been another solid one for Parayko. In 57 games, he has 13 goals, and 17 assists. He's also adding 128 blocks, 87 hits, and has consistently been one of the best two-way defenders in the NHL.
Since being drafted 86th overall by St. Louis in 2012, he has 74 goals and 215 assists in 716 games while also winning a Stanley Cup and also recently was part of Team Canada's victory in the 4 Nations Face-Off.
He's making $6.5M and if Toronto can get some salary retention, that would make things a lot easier to swallow. However, even if they can't, his cap hit won't be too bad given the rising cap.
It's more, does Toronto want to commit another huge contract to an aging defenseman when they have Morgan Rielly, Chris Tanev, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson; while also trading away some big future prospects?
If it gets them that much closer to a Stanley Cup, then you're darn right they do.
![Feb 12, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Mitch Marner (16) looks on against Team Sweden in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/531990.webp "Feb 12, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Mitch Marner (16) looks on against Team Sweden in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images")
