Ok let's compare both player's stats from last season. All advanced stats are for 5v5.
| Ekblad | Parayko |
| GP | 82 | 82 |
| G | 16 | 6 |
| A | 22 | 29 |
| Pts | 38 | 35 |
| aTOI | 23:23 | 22:37 |
| shTOI | 2:15 | 1:54 |
| ppTOI | 2:08 | 1:56 |
| P1/60 | .46 | .45 |
| CF% | 47.7 | 52.99 |
| RelCF% | -2.16 | +2 |
| xGF% | 46.57 | 53.8 |
| RelxGF% | -3.54 | +3.73 |
| iPen+1 | -11 | +9 |
| ZSR | 41.48 | 47.98 |
| TOI% | 36.61 | 36.71 |
| TOI%QoT | 29.52 | 27.87 |
| TOI%QoC | 29.52 | 28.94 |
[TBODY]
[/TBODY]
So, what conclusions can we draw from these numbers? For one, it's simply false to say that there no advanced stats metrics that say Parayko is a better defender. It's also highly questionable to claim that he isn't a better passer or shooter or that Parayko is more physical than Ekblad.
Digging deeper, the numbers indicate to me that Ekblad played more minutes with significantly better teammates against tougher competition. Both players were relied on to play significant PK minutes, with a slight edge to Ekblad in average total minutes and PP minutes. It's interesting that Parayko actually played a higher percentage of the Blues 5v5 minutes than Ekblad played for the panthers. Ekblad's 5v5 ZSR is low meaning he started in the defensive end very often, and he played against tougher QoC, which indicates that his 5v5 minutes were tougher than Parayko's. However, it's worth mentioning that Ekblad also played with much better QoT, meaning that while his competition might've been tougher than Parayko's, the players around his were also much better.
While Ekblad scored way more goals and slightly more points, it's telling that both players scored nearly identical P1/60. This would indicate that at 5v5, both players had a very similar impact offensively. Ekblad's 5v5 shooting percentage was 6.98%, while Parayko's was 1.22%. I would guess that Parayko's 1.22% shooting percentage indicates that he was a bit unlucky 5v5 (FWIW my personal eye test backs up this conclusion).
Now, looking at the possession metrics, Parayko blows Ekblad out of the water. It's not even close. Their relative stats all favor Parayko, as do CF and xGF. Parayko also drew 9 more penalties than he took, while Ekblad took 11 more penalties than he drew.
All of this actually ignores the most compelling actual indication that Parayko is better than Ekblad. The past 2 times that Parayko and Ekblad have been on the same team in international competition, Ekblad started out at the #1RD on the team. Both times, Parayko has ended the tournament as the #1RD. Granted, at the world cup, we can't say for certain what would have happened if Ekblad hadn't gotten injured. Whether or not the injuries should count against Ekblad is up for debate. However, at the world championships, anyone who watched can tell you that Parayko outplayed Ekblad (even if Ekblad got an award as one of the 3 best players on team Canada).
