My Explanation: Colton Parayko is 30 years old on a retooling Blues team. By the time this team gets good, he’ll have an ugly contract when St. Louis tries to sign their prospects with expiring ELC’s. So why not trade him to the most desperate team looking for a player exactly like him. The Leafs NEED a partner for Reilly, Bush or Bogo as rumored isn’t gonna cut it and it’s been proven. So they trade Timothy Lijigren who shows flashes of why he was projected top 5 in his draft class to a team that’s retooling and could pit more time into making him a more complete player. Nick Robertson isn’t happy about his place on the Leafs and his days are numbered, he still shows that offensive upside when Keefe lets him get the chance and has arguably a top 3 shot on the Leafs. Brodie is mostly a cap dump that St. Louis could flip or keep around so the defense isn’t completely shot. The 2 first round picks are obligated seeing he’s a top 4 D that will be in Toronto for a long time, this year’s first will most likely be between 26-32 so it isn’t the best value, but in 2026 the hope in St. Louis will be Marner or Tavares leaves in 2025 and the Leafs fall in the standings. May seem like an overpay by Toronto, but they have to overpay and St. Louis should take whoever wants Parayko a run for their breakfast, lunch, and dinner money. Thoughts?

IMO, it's overpaid. But I like the idea to get Parayko

overpayment. give steeves and abruzzese instead of teh 2026 1st round pick

Not a fan of trading parayko but that return would be very tempting.

Aaa

As a Leafs fan, that’s exactly why I purposed this trade and I’m glad you feel that way. We need a guy like him and we need to pay up for it instead of settling for the depth guys we usually get. If this trade ever happened I’d be happy for you guys, Lily, Brodie, and Robbie. They’d fit your core and timeline great

Exactly, St. Louis isn’t trading Parayko for nothing and have no rush to trade him this off season so if the Leafs want this move down at the deadline this is the package necessary. Why would St. Louis want 2 24 year olds that can’t get into 20+ games a season combined? That doesn’t make sense, I know it’s an awful trade for the Leafs long term but they have to make sacrifices if they want to win and I can guarantee those 2 first round picks will not help them win a cup until Matthews’ extension is over so being scarce with them when you have this core is a cheap option that won’t lead to success.

It has to be an overpayment to get him. The Blues are in no rush to trade him while the Leafs are in a rush to find a partner for Reilly. Also there are 15 other teams that make the playoffs and 15 of them would die for Colton Parayko, better throw the sun and the moon at him before someone else in the division does 🤷‍♂️