There's no question that Colton Parayko remains a fan favorite in St. Louis.
He is a large 6-foot-6 defender who has been an integral part of the team since being drafted by the St. Louis Blues in 2012.
Parayko made the All-Rookie team in 2016 and was successful in winning the Cup in 2019.
In 2021, Parayko signed a large 8-year contract worth $52 million.
2021-2022: 6 goals, 29 assists, 35 points in 80 games.
2022-2023: 4 goals, 23 assists, 27 points in 79 games.
2023-2024: 10 goals, 16 assists, 26 points in 82 games.
In terms of scoring alone, Parayko scored 35 points in 2021. Justin Faulk followed with 47 points, followed by Torey Krug with 43 points. Faulk had an impressive 16 goals and Krug had 34 assists.
After Parayko, Marco Scandella scored 14 goals in 70 games.
Justin Faulk scored 50 points in 2022, ranking fifth on the team among all players. Krug again ranks second among defensemen with 32 points, while Parayko ranks third among defensemen with 27 points.
In 2022, Nick Leddy scored 23 points and was closing in on Parayko.
Krug ranks as the best defensive player this season with 39 points, followed by Faulk with 30 points, Ready with 28 points and Parayko with 26 points.
Parayko's best seasons came in 2016, 2017, and 2021, when he scored 35 points in each year. In terms of his goals and assists, 2016 and 2021 were about the same year.
For the past three years, the number of Paraycos has been decreasing year by year, but in the previous two years the difference was small.
He consistently ranks as the No. 3 defensive player on the team.
What numbers cannot measure is his leadership qualities and dedication to the team. Parayko, a fan favorite, brings championship experience to a team built around Robert Thomas and Jordan Caillou.
Although his name has been involved in trade rumors in the past, Parayko's size makes him a valuable asset, especially in a second-line role.
It wouldn't be surprising to see the Blues acquire another impact defenseman this year, either through free agency or a trade. If that happens, Parayko is expected to remain a top-four defenseman statistically.
Parayko's role as alternate captain for the Blues is extremely important, and he has earned the trust of his teammates and the city of St. Louis.
Parayko may be a mediocre player to some fans, but he has shown a solid level of play as a defenseman. If leadership were evaluated statistically, he would get his A+.
