Is Parayko not a defense-first type of defenceman? Curious what his faults and strengths are since his return from injury
He's still very good defensively, he just gets some of the hardest usage in the league, and ever since Bouwmeester left, he'd never had a partner that can truly play that type of usage with him. Leddy does a pretty good job and did a really good job down the stretch last season and in the playoffs, but he's not meant for it.
His faults are mainly his shot in the offensive zone never developed, so while he has a cannon, it's not that much of a weapon, and while he will go on some rushes at times and you think he can create some dangerous chances because of it, he's really more of a defensive first defenseman, that is capable enough in the offensive zone to get his typical 35ish points.
And while he's decent with the puck, he's someone that will definitely benefit from a partner that is better at moving the puck than he is. He's not bad with the puck, but if he's the primary mover on the pair, there will probably be some issues. That's why at times when Scandella and Mikkola were his partners, they'd have some great shutdown stretches, but other times where they'd struggle, and that's why Bouwmeester and Leddy were way more consistent pairs because both were capable movers, with Leddy excelling in transition.
Anyone acquiring him will want to check out the back injury he had just to make sure it's not one that has a long-term impact. Is it something that's fully healed or will get progressively worse as time goes on, and none of us really know the answer to that.
