NHL Trade Rumors: What defenders should the Maple Leafs pursue?

1. Colton Parayko

While Kypreos’ capacity to think out loud has prompted the hockey world to ponder the chances — or lack thereof — of Pietrangelo being traded to the Maple Leafs, the most realistic player for Dubas to target continues to be Colton Parayko.

At 25 years of age, the right-handed defender offers a skillset that accounts for everything that the Buds would like to acquire and more — namely an ability to marry offensive prowess with defensive responsibility on a fairly consistent basis. Add the fact that he’s signed to a reasonable deal — $5.5 million until 2021-22 — and it’s no surprise that his name is still a feature of the wide-ranging rumblings of Leafs Nation.

As always, the question of Parayko’s cost hovers over the minds of those eyeing the world of contracts. But as the Blues look to enter into the realm of competition after what has surely been a disappointing start to the club’s regular season — in a campaign, after all, wherein the team was supposed to be contending for Lord Stanley’s trophy — perhaps Armstrong’s asking price has taken a bit of a hit.

We’ll only know in time, but look for Parayko to lie at the forefront of rumination until Dubas addresses the Maple Leafs’ back end.

No. 55 could potentially be the piece that pushes the Buds over the edge, but the question of affordability looms larger than ever.