Parayko agrees to five-year deal before arbitration

The St. Louis Blues signed defenceman Colton Parayko to a $27.5 million, five-year contract just before the sides were set to go to arbitration on Thursday.

Only sharpshooting winger Vladimir Tarasenko is signed longer as the Blues have captain Alex Pietrangelo, Jay Bouwmeester and Parayko locked up as their top three on defence. Parayko will count $5.5 million against the salary cap through 2021-22.