St. Louis Blues: Making a case for Torey Krug

Ask most St. Louis Blues fans who the best defenseman on the team is, and they will probably answer Colton Parayko.

Parayko is an alternate captain, has led the league in blocked shots, and has always worn the St. Louis Blues jersey.

When Torey Krug arrived in St. Louis in 2020-21, he was stepping into the shoes of the departed captain, Alex Pietrangelo. This was no small task, but Krug was up for the challenge.

Krug has played in four seasons for the St. Louis Blues:

2020-21: 51 games, 2 goals, 30 assists, 32 points (top-rated defensemen in terms of total points).
2021-22: 64 games, 9 goals, 34 assists, 43 points (second highest defensemen in terms of total points).
2022-23: 63 games, 7 goals, 25 assists, 32 points (second highest defensemen in terms of total points).
2023-24: 77 games, 4 goals, 35 assists, 39 points (top-rated defensemen in terms of total points).

So there we have it. Krug, despite not being a goal-scorer and having missed several games due to injuries, has consistently been the best or second-best defenseman in terms of points in four seasons.

His 7-year $45.5 million contract was high, but less than Pietrangelo's 7-year $61.6 million deal or Chicago Blackhawks Seth Jones's 7-year $76 million contract.

In the 2023-24 season, Seth Jones led defensemen for the Chicago Blackhawks with 31 points, while Pietrangelo was the second defenseman for Vegas with 33 points. Krug, however, outperformed them both with 39 points for the Blues.

Sure, super-stars like Colorado's Cale Makar and his 90 points or Dallas Stars Miro Heiskanen and his 60 points outshine Krug significantly. Nevertheless, Krug's worth as a top-two defenseman within the Blues organization is backed up by his stats.

He's not a superstar and is heading past his prime, and maybe he's overpaid. But on the current roster, he's one of the top defenders, and the Blues could fare far worse. His value to the team, despite the criticisms, is undeniable and should reassure the fans.

Krug had big shoes to fill, replacing Pietrangelo, a fan favorite. Taking this out of the equation, Krug has played well and has proved his ability to be a reliable player in St. Louis.