The Buffalo Sabres are taking a big swing.
TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reports the team is finalizing a deal with the St. Louis Blues for defenceman Colton Parayko.
Dreger notes that player approval is still required, but the belief is that the deal will get done. Radim Mrtka and a first-round pick will be part of the return for the Blues.
Parayko, 32, is in the fourth year of an eight-year, $52 million deal.
A native of St. Albert, Alta., Parayko is in his 11th NHL season. He’s appeared in 58 games this season, averaging 22:24 of ice-time a night. He has a goal and 14 assists.
Originally taken with the 86th overall pick in 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Parayko has appeared in 781 career games. He has 78 goals and 231 assists.
Parayko was a key part of the Blues team that won the 2019 Stanley Cup.
Internationally, Parayko has represented Canada on a number of occasions, including as part of a silver medal-winning effort at last month’s Milano-Cortina Olympics.
