National Hockey League roundup

[July 21, 2017]  July 20 (The Sports Xchange) - St. Louis Blues defenseman Colton Parayko signed a five-year, $27.5 million contract on Thursday.

The deal holds an annual cap hit of $5.5 million, which is above the $4.85 million that Parayko reportedly had been seeking in a short-term deal in arbitration.

"We are pleased to have Colton as part of our group for the next five seasons," Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said.

"He has made tremendous progress over the last two years and possesses all the tools to be a very good NHL defenseman."

Parayko collected a career-high 35 points (4 goals, 31 assists) in 81 games last season. The 24-year-old Alberta native also scored two goals and set up three others in 11 playoff contests.

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Philadelphia Flyers rookie center Nolan Patrick will be held off the ice due to an infection in his face.

Patrick, who was the second overall pick of last month's draft, had been unable to participate in on-ice activities at the team's development camp earlier this month while recovering from a second abdominal surgery.

The 18-year-old signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the team on Monday.

Patrick recorded 46 points (20 goals, 26 assists) in 33 games with Brandon of the Western Hockey League last season but missed 39 games, including the playoffs, because of a sports hernia.

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The Calgary Flames signed forward Garnet Hathaway to a one year, two-way contract.

Hathaway split the season between the Calgary Flames and their AHL affiliate Stockton Heat.

While with the Flames, Hathaway played 26 games, picking up a goal and four assists along with 44 penalty minutes. With Stockton, he scored eight goals and added 12 assists and 67 penalty minutes in 31 regular season games before adding a pair of goals and assists in five playoff games.

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