Do total points tell the whole story in hockey? Just ask any hockey fan if stats like hits and blocked shots matter during games. You'll often hear a big yes!
The top three defenders in total points were:
Torey Krug–39
Justin Faulk–30
Nick Leddy–28
Despite not having a prominent defensive player on the team for the 2023-24 season, the St. Louis Blues still had multiple standout players who excelled in blocking, and Colton Parayko was especially impressive.
Top Five Block Leaders in 2023-24:
Colton Parayko–218
Nick Leddy–127
Torey Krug–111
Justin Faulk–104
Matthew Kessel–65
With an impressive total of blocks, Parayko claimed the top spot in the league rankings, closely trailed by Moritz Seider who recorded 213 blocks.
Parayko's ability to dominate in this statistical category further emphasizes the fact that his capabilities as a defenseman are still highly beneficial and can be argued to be at an elite level in terms of his style of play.
Although blocked shots may not have the same statistical impact as goals and assists, their importance cannot be understated. They play a big role in the team's success by stopping the opponents from scoring and taking charge of the game. Goaltenders tend to love defenders.
The ability of Parayko to excel at such a high level highlights the fact that total points alone do not provide a comprehensive understanding of total defensive stats.
Parayko's achievement of recording over 200 blocks sets him in a league of his own, considering that only six players in the entire league accomplished the same feat of recording more than 200 blocked shots.
While both Leddy and Krug posted solid numbers, they were no match for the remarkable success that Parayko achieved. If the Blues were to add a skilled defenseman who complements Parayko, it is highly likely that the defense would become significantly stronger.
Tip your hat to Parayko. Everyone sleeps on his league-leading blocked shots.