Defenseman Colton Parayko signed an eight-year, $52 million contract on Wednesday, putting an end to rumors of the player’s potential departure from the team. This news comes as a relief to the team, as before the signing, Parayko was set to become a free agent by the end of the season.
The team’s top defenseman is set to count $6.5 million against the salary cap as his new deal goes into effect in the 2022-23 season. The contract will last until 2030.
After signing the contract, Parayko expressed his joy over committing his future to the team: “I can’t wait to wear the blue note for another nine years. St. Louis has been my home now for six seasons, and this is where I want to be.”
Parayko was an instrumental part of the Blues when the team achieved Stanley Cup glory in 2019. It was during this run that Parayko contributed 12 points; the same amount as last season when he was hampered by injury.
Parayko, along with Robert Bortuzzo, are the only remaining defenceman from St Louis Blues’ 2019 Stanley Cup-winning squad, with captain Alex Pietrangelo, Jay Bouwmeester, Joel Edmundson, Carl Gunnarsson and Vince Dunn all having departed the franchise since.
