Blues Reportedly Shopping Several Big-Name Defensemen

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James Connelly
June 13, 2023 (4:51 PM)

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With the Blues needing to shed some cap space, they look to move a big-name defenseman.

Blues Ready To Move Notable Defenseman

The St. Louis Blues are in need of some cap space. They currently have only $7.5 million in cap space which is not a lot in the grand scheme of things. Needing to sign a backup goalie and two forwards.

With the log jam of talent the Blues have on defense, they could be looking to move one of their notable defensemen.

Graphic via @puckempire on Instagram

This means the Blues are looking to move either Justin Faulk, Colton Parayko, or Nick Leddy. Each of those three is over the age of 30 and has a No Trade Clause.

Why Move Leddy

Leddy has a strong case for being the odd man out. The Blues have Torey Krug playing above him and Marco Scandella beneath him who could be a 2nd pairing defenseman on his good days. Leddy has three more years with a $4m cap hit and could be less of a commitment for a team to take on. While moving him creates some cap space, the Blues would not get a massive return for Leddy as they would for Parayko or Faulk.

Why Move Faulk

Faulk makes $6.5m and is signed till 2028. He is coming off of a career year where he scored 50 points while maintaining solid defense. He is more of a commitment than Leddy but is more dynamic offensively. He is also right-handed which is coveted in the NHL among defensemen.

Why Move Parayko

Parayko, like Faulk, makes $6.5m but he is signed till 2030. He is not an offensive dynamo like Faulk but he is a big body who is a solid two-way player. He is also right-handed which teams will be interested in.

Of the three, Faulk will command the most on the trade block but watch for Parayko to be the one the Blues move considering his lesser value and equivalent cap hit to Faulk.