Colton Parayko of the St. Louis Blues will miss at least six weeks due to a knee injury sustained in a game against the Los Angeles Kings. General Manager Doug Armstrong confirmed Parayko will undergo a scope on his left knee. This injury is significant as the Blues are competing for a playoff spot. Colton Parayko scored 15 goals this season, marking a career-best. He has recorded 35 points so far, matching his previous career-high.
Colton Parayko will be out for at least six weeks
Colton Parayko, a 31-year-old defenseman for the St. Louis Blues, will be out for at least six weeks due to an injury to his left knee. Parayko, who has an NHL career-high 15 goals and 35 points, will undergo a knee scope and be reevaluated in six weeks. He leads all Blues players with an average ice time per game of 23:51 and is first on the team with 140 blocked shots.
“We’re not going to replace him,” Blues coach Jim Montgomery said. “That being said, the feeling in our room right now, it just continues to build. Being able to win a game on the road in L.A. with the home record they have (19-3-4), how we did it … all of those things, they’re just continuing to build the trust, respect, care and love that is building within our group. So, if you would’ve asked me this a month ago, I’d say I don’t know how we can recover. But we’re going to push through, and it’s going to be the next-man-up mentality that you have to have. We have a lot of confidence in our ‘D’ corps to handle and share the minutes that Parayko gave us.”
Parayko, a St. Louis Blues player, has accumulated 294 points in 721 regular-season games and 32 points in 82 Stanley Cup Playoff games since being selected in the third round of the 2012 NHL Draft. He also helped the Blues win the Cup in 2019. Armstrong faces crucial roster adjustments with the trade deadline approaching. He may trade assets like Brayden Schenn or find a replacement for Parayko, affecting the team’s playoff hopes.
The St. Louis Blues have a tough go without Colton Parayko as they struggle to remain in playoff contention. His absence presents a tough challenge for the team, as each game is that much more important down the stretch. While they make their push for a playoff spot, the front office has to make some big decisions that will define the direction of the team.
Also Read: NHL Trade Rumors: Chicago Blackhawks are reportedly considering trading veteran goalie Petr Mrazek for free
The management will have to decide whether to add reinforcements to the roster in an effort to make a playoff run or look towards long-term building by focusing on youngsters. The way they handle this crucial juncture might have far-reaching consequences for the future of the franchise.
