Most Polarizing Player Value in the NHL

Équipe: 2023-24 Blues de St-Louis

Date de création initiale: 15 mai 2023

Publié: 15 mai 2023

Mode - plafond salarial: Basique

Parayko has to have the largest disparity in valuations on CF. Some people will tell you he's already a useless player with 7 years left and a bad back, an immovable cap albatross. Some people will point out that his defensive metrics are still very good despite playing with pylons for the past few seasons. You will hear that he's not a no.1 but his deployment is the toughest in the NHL so if you play him as a no.3 he will return to the elite, shutdown d-man that he once was. To be honest I have no idea what the perception amongst NHL GMs would be.

I think(?) there are teams that would covet him (big, right shot, 2-way D) even if they don't like the length of the contract. And if those GMs are out there, I would say now is the time to make a deal because the way I see it, there is no need to keep trying to build around him and he may be the easiest defensemen on this roster to move for positive value (NTC may say otherwise). This theory makes more sense if the Blues are able to sign a guy like Gavrikov who would be on a better contract for what he provides - or if they can draft Reinbacher at 10oa and make picks with the later 1sts as well; they can get the roster turnover started now and still be relatively competitive while adding prospects for the next push.

Since the amount of what he would fetch in a trade is pretty much a stab in the dark, what are your thoughts on the situation in general? Is it worth getting positive value and cashing out of his deal now even if it means the defense takes a step back? Could his minutes be replaced by a UFA signing? Would anyone actually give up assets for him?

FWIW I chose EDM because their GM is a dinosaur and a Nurse-Parayko pairing would theoretically bring out the best of both players.

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