**FOX NEWS: St. Louis Blues Defenseman Colton Parayko Out Six Weeks After Injuring Left Knee**
St. Louis Blues defenseman Colton Parayko will be sidelined for at least six weeks after suffering a left knee injury, the team confirmed Tuesday. The injury occurred during a recent game, and the Blues’ medical staff have determined that the 6-foot-6 defenseman will require time to heal before returning to action. Parayko, one of the Blues’ top blue-liners, was injured during a collision that led to him being helped off the ice.
The 28-year-old Canadian, who has been a fixture on the Blues’ defense since being drafted in 2012, will miss a significant portion of the regular season. This injury comes at a critical time for the Blues, who are fighting for playoff positioning in a competitive Central Division. Parayko’s absence will undoubtedly create a gap in the team’s defensive depth, with several younger players now expected to step up and take on larger roles.
Parayko, known for his strong two-way play and imposing presence on the ice, has been a key part of the Blues’ defense corps for several years. He played an essential role in helping the team secure their first-ever Stanley Cup championship in 2019, logging heavy minutes and often being matched up against the opposition’s top offensive players. While the Blues have some depth on the blue line, the loss of Parayko’s physicality, leadership, and penalty-killing ability is a significant blow.
Blues head coach Craig Berube expressed his disappointment over the injury but emphasized the need for the team to rally in Parayko’s absence. “It’s tough to lose Colton. He’s a big part of our team both on and off the ice,” Berube said. “But we’ve got guys who are capable of stepping up, and we’ll need them to rise to the occasion.”
Parayko’s injury means that the Blues will have to rely on players like Justin Faulk, Torey Krug, and Marco Scandella to log more minutes and provide stability on the defensive end. Additionally, younger defensemen such as Scott Perunovich, who has shown promise in limited action this season, may be asked to take on a larger role in Parayko’s absence. The Blues will also likely lean heavily on veteran goaltender Jordan Binnington to help stabilize their defensive play.
While the team’s defense may face some growing pains without Parayko, the Blues’ offense has been firing on all cylinders, and players like Ryan O’Reilly, David Perron, and Vladimir Tarasenko will be key in maintaining the team’s overall performance. The Blues will also be looking for contributions from their younger forwards, including Jordan Kyrou and Robert Thomas, who have both shown flashes of brilliance this season.
With a tough schedule ahead, the Blues will need to find ways to weather the storm during Parayko’s absence. His recovery timeline is expected to be approximately six weeks, meaning he could return to the lineup by late April, just in time for the stretch run and the potential playoff push.
The Blues’ next few games will be crucial as they look to maintain their position in the playoff race. Parayko’s absence will be felt, but if the team can continue to play with the same intensity and focus they’ve shown so far this season, they could still have a strong finish to the year.
As the team prepares for their upcoming games, they remain hopeful that Parayko will make a full recovery and rejoin the lineup in time for the postseason.