Toronto Maple Leafs Face Serious Obstacle In Pursuit Of Top Defenseman
The Toronto Maple Leafs are in the market for another defenseman. One option is Blues defender Colton Parayko, but there is one key obstacle making that trade more difficult for the team.
Leafs Interested In Trading For St. Louis Blues Defenseman
Parayko is one of the more steady, stay-at-home defensemen in the league. That being said, he does bring a touch of offense as well. The 30-year-old was a key member of the 2019 team that won the Stanley Cup and the Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly interested in that pedigree. However, the blueliner does have a full no trade clause, making any deal involving him much more difficult.
Another obstacle facing the Leafs is the fact that Parayko is signed through the 2029-30 season. At 30 years old, the team may not want to invest that much time into him. Furthermore, he comes with a 6.5 million dollar cap hit.
Toronto Maple Leafs Scouring Trade Market For Right-Handed Defenseman
Parayko is not the first blueliner the Leafs have been linked to this trade season. The team has also reportedly asked about many defenders around the league including David Savard, Matt Dumba, and Mario Ferraro.
That being said, the team has yet to make a major move on the backend. They did add some insurance by reuniting with Ilya Lyubushkin, but he won't be moving the needle in the playoffs. As such, look out for the Leafs to make a splash before Friday's trade deadline.
As seen on A potential road block standing in the way of a Leafs/Blues deal centered around Colton Parayko
| POLL | ||
MARS 6 | 564 ANSWERS Toronto Maple Leafs Face Serious Obstacle In Pursuit Of Top Defenseman Do you think the Leafs will trade for Parayko? | ||
| Yes | 229 | 40.6 % |
| No | 335 | 59.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
![Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Auston Matthews (34) looks on against Team Finland in the second 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/531249.webp "Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Auston Matthews (34) looks on against Team Finland in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images")
![Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Auston Matthews (34) looks on against Team Finland in the first 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/531292.webp "Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Auston Matthews (34) looks on against Team Finland in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images")
