From back misery to the Blues top defenseman, Colton Parayko comes into his own as the guy for St. Louis
It took a few Petro-less years to happen, but the big guy has solidified who he is on the ice.
Once upon a time, I asked Chris Pronger why Colton Parayko couldn’t be more like him on the ice: Mean, pushy, carving out his own piece on the ice, and generally causing chaos. With a sly laugh, the retired Blues legend told me that every player has to be who they have to be on the ice in order to be successful. The tough and ruthless way was his style and one that he knew early on was the best way to stay in the league, not Parayko’s to borrow or adapt. Those words are settling into place in the 2024-25 season as Colton takes those necessary steps towards being the guy for St. Louis.
Sometimes, it takes a little while for a guy to find his way after the previous big defenseman leaves town. That was Alex Pietrangelo, who signed with Las Vegas five years ago after the pandemic-shortened season and collecting a Cup with the Blues. While he’s collected another one since with the Golden Knights, Parayko has assumed his position in St. Louis with improved and more balanced play at the blue line. The “C” isn’t on his chest yet, but the leadership of the defense definitely belongs to him. This is his crew now.
As it turns out, the problem wasn’t taking over Petro’s team. It was a nagging, often debilitating back injury that stretched over a few seasons. While falling short of a Scott Rolen and his shoulder sort of long-winded impact, it’s one that hindered his 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. It was only last year where he notched ten goals and started to pull his defense and offense into the same room together on special teams and even strength.
I took a dump on Parayko in a series of columns over the past three years, pledging in one of them that his contract was a mistake. Now, it’s Pavel Buchnevich’s absurd contract that holds the cake for Doug Armstrong’s worst deal. Buch’s point total is at its lowest since Pietrangelo left St. Louis, while Parayko’s output is easily reaching career highs.
Through 48 games, Parayko already has ten goals and 27 points. Last year in a full season slate of 82 games, he scored ten goals and compiled 26 points and 154 shots on net. He’s blasted 91 on net already this season, an uptick that has given him three game-winning goals on the season. He’s actually fired 181 shots towards the net, giving him a career-high 11% shooting percentage.
He’s letting it rip more often on net, something that even Robert Thomas is doing more often this season. With a slap shot that once broke Ben Bishop’s clavicle, the inclination to send it to the net seems like an easy decision. Factoring in a sore or healing back explains the downturn in attempts and the reluctance to go full-throttle on net. Think of the dramatic windup a defenseman like Parayko does every time a slap shot is formed, and then add in a bad back.
Throughout a career, someone who logs big minutes will ultimately play through injury. It can clog the perspective of people wanting that player to be more and can come at a bad time. With the okay yet not top shelf ability of Justin Faulk and the departure of Jay Bouwmeester and Pietrangelo, the onus was on Parayko to be the guy and it took him a few seasons.
Better late than never. My good and very sound-minded hockey friend, Dan Reilly, assured me that I wasn’t wrong about Parayko yet clouded by the effect of an injury. For someone who works in a warehouse and knows how painful even walking can be, it’s the last time a back ailment by a defenseman cranking out 25 minutes-per-game gets underestimated.
He’s set for career highs in goals, points, and ice time. Here’s another impressive stat for Parayko’s 24-25 season: Only SIX penalty minutes. The last place a valuable defenseman needs to be in is the box. Let Tyler Tucker or Nathan Walker take those sit reps. Parayko is a man of action on the ice again.
He can take the puck down into the offensive zone and be fast enough to get back for any responding rush. My favorite aspect of his game has always been his nonchalant, patient-as-ever approach with the puck behind the net. Before he cycles, the man takes his time and pisses off the refs. I like that.
What do you think of his current game and season? Let me know in the comments section and have a good work day. Just remember, it’ll be 100 degrees in seven months… possibly.