NHL Trade Rumors: St. Louis Blues receive inquiry for one of their top defensemen

After the sale of Vladimir Tarasenko, the St. Louis Blues appear to be planning another sale of one of their top four defensemen. Following recent trade rumors and speculations, Blues defenseman Colton Parayko has made the rounds of market discussions.

The rumors were brought out by TSN's Darren Dreger, who stated that the St. Louis Blues have been receiving inquiries regarding their defenseman, with Colton Parayko appearing to be the most involved in the discussion.

"INSIDER TRADING: #TSNHockey Insiders @DarrenDreger, @PierreVLebrun & Marty Walsh, #STLBlues, Habs, Chychrun. #Preds and 'trade related' healthy scratches..."- TSN Hockey

Colton Parayko signed an eight-year, $52 million contract with the Blues on Sept. 1, 2021. The contract also includes a full no-trade clause (NTC), which means that the player cannot be traded without his will. His contract expires after the 2029-30 season.

As the March 3 deadline approaches, some major teams are already looking to strengthen their defense. Teams such as the Edmonton Oilers, Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning are exploring the market for a defenseman.

"Colton Parayko looks like a top 4 defender that would help the Sens win now. However, 7 more years at 6.5 million for a player who turns 30 in three months is not ideal" - Jordi

Therefore, a player like Parayko will be a great addition for any team seeking to strengthen their blue line. But Parayko's $6.5 salary cap and no-trade clause make this deal seem a little complicated.

It remains to be seen where Colton Parayko ends up in this tradeline.

Colton Parayko's performances for the St. Louis Blues this season

Colton Parayko has appeared in 51 games for the Blues this season. He has contributed 18 points for the club, with two goals and 16 assists. In the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, the St. Louis Blues selected Parayko 86th overall.

He made his debut in the 2015-16 season and has been an important member of the team ever since. Parayko has played in 549 NHL games and has 224 points (49 goals, 175 assists) in his career. He was also a member of the St. Louis Blues' 2019 Stanley Cup winning squad.

The Blues have been going through a rough phase and are currently placed sixth in the Central Division with 55 points. They are also out of the top two wildcard slots. Avoiding more defeats in the future will help the Blues keep their hopes alive for the playoffs.