3/5/26: Parayko has declined to waive his no-trade clause to join the Sabres, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. As a result, as The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun noted, the reported trade will not happen.
On Frankly Hockey, Frank Seravalli indicated that Parayko is open to a trade from St. Louis, but will not accept a move to Buffalo, specifically. As frustrating as it may be for both clubs, it is Parayko’s right to dictate where he goes, given the no-trade protection in his contract.
Following Seravalli’s report, ESPN’s Kevin Weekes indicated that Parayko would prefer to stay in the Western Conference. Weekes specifically mentioned the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings, though neither club has any known interest in adding another defenseman.
It’s unknown at this time if Mrtka and a first-round pick were the only pieces that would have headed to the Blues in the deal. If that’s the case, Buffalo had the opportunity to amass arguably the best defensive corps in the league.
Missing out on a player of Parayko’s stature will sting, but there are a few remaining options for the Sabres. Justin Faulk, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Logan Stanley, among others, are all options currently on the market that Buffalo could target. Depending on how long Buffalo negotiated with the Blues, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them turn around and acquire Faulk.
Unfortunately, it does paint a negative picture for Buffalo. Despite the team being on fire this year and heading toward the postseason for the first time in a decade, they are still having trouble encouraging outside talent to join the team. Factoring in Seravalli’s report, it’s clear that Parayko simply didn’t want to head to New York.
Meanwhile, it’s not the best situation for St. Louis either. There’s no reporting on how many teams are interested in Parayko. If they’re unable to move him before the deadline tomorrow, it’ll become awkward at the very least. While it remains a business decision, Parayko’s connection to the community may lead to feelings of animosity regarding the situation, particularly since the trade was leaked before he had a chance to approve it.
Things can and will change fast this time of year. Over the last few days, Parayko and Tyler Myers have each had their names leaked in trade conversations, only to veto the trade. Still, given that he’s willing to consider different clubs, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Parayko approve a trade somewhere else.
3/4/26: According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, the Buffalo Sabres are moving toward acquiring defenseman Colton Parayko from the St. Louis Blues. Dreger noted that the trade is still being finalized and that both teams are waiting to see if Parayko will waive his no-trade clause to join the Sabres. Dreger later added that defensive prospect Radim Mrtka and a first-round pick will be a part of the deal. Insider Frank Seravalli reported that the framework of the trade is complete, but Parayko has not yet signed off on it.
It would obviously be a seismic trade for the Sabres, especially if nothing is coming off the NHL roster. Buffalo already has Bowen Byram, Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, and Mattias Samuelsson in the top four of their defensive corps. Parayko has been on the top pairing in St. Louis for nearly a decade, and is signed through the 2029-30 season at an affordable $6.5MM salary.
Aren’t the Sabres basically the entire reason that no trade clauses exist? Why would someone waive that clause to go to Buffalo??
Because the Sabres are an absolute wagon this season!
They have a chance to win the division and seem to have actually figure it out shockingly
Canadian teams are probably more to blame.
lol no they are not. And stop using the “wagon”.
Near the top in their division. Top 5 in scoring. He gets to play with many other good defensemen. Why not?
“Why not?”: Because it’s Buffalo. Small market, horrid weather.
Unlike that destination city St Louis?
Ya that D core is easily top 3 in the league with Parayko
It’s OK to admit you don’t follow hockey.
Because the Sabres look like they’ve finally arrived, they’re young & the eastern conference is truly up for grabs.
St. Louis is small market but has nowhere near the absolutely dismal weather as in Buffalo.
3/5 Update: Correct, Buffalo is apparently unlike that destination city St Louis to Colton.
Now, that would be an overpay.
Blues are about to get young and extremely talented, really fast.
Bottom half 1sts drafted players less than half become any good. The defenseman coming back is at least a few years away. Buffalo is smart going after a established vet with some term.
Meh if they sell off the guys they want to they’re gonna have an insane amount of cap available plus a few close prospects and roster players with some decent lottery ticket 1st. Most rebuilding teams would be happy to have that kinda jump start year 1 of full rebuild. Not to mention if they do get rid of their star players there gonna have that much better odds to get 1st overall this year and next
Yeah a lot of young talent there already not even counting the assets they’d be getting in trades for guys like Parayko, Thomas, Faulk, Binnington etc.
Buffalo would be getting a good one. Not only an excellent defenseman but an awesome person as well.
Flyers aren’t going to get anything for Risto at this point
The same thing happened with Seeler a few years ago. They held on to both too long and they lost value.
I just love this Flyers organization I can’t wait for yet another 15th overall pick so we can draft either a winger or a 3C
Why not? They could still move him after the season or at next year’s trade deadline, but there are still a bunch of teams rumored looking for D help now: Wings, Bolts, etc. The Stars are extremely likely to still be in the market as well. With Seguin on SELTIR, the Stars have the cap space to absorb all of Risto’s cap hit without any retention required. At this point Tyler Myers is more likely to be a depth piece for the playoffs ala Nate Schmidt & OEL for the Panthers in the past few years. Risto can realistically play top 4 or even top pairing minutes against elite competition and could move the needle for Dallas.
With the cost of what Tyler Myers got I’m not surprised this is the price of a high coveted (shooting side) right shot defenseman. The Sabres D-corps is young so moving Mrtka doesn’t hurt too much and same with pick. Now if the rumored asking price was Power Helenius Quinn 1st for a 12 goal 35 point player in Thomas yeah no wonder they stayed away from that cost. Now to maybe add some grit up front wouldn’t hurt otherwise don’t fix what isn’t broke.
You clearly don’t know what you are talking about. A 1C who has term left on his team friendly deal is one of the most valuable assets in the game. I hope they keep Thomas, but if they did trade him and that was the package, I would still have hesitation. It is hard to find a true 1C and Thomas is the best the Blues have had since possibly Adam Oates.
It’s also just as hard to find a true #1 D and power still has that potential
Power does have potential. Mailloux has potential too. The point is 1Cs are probably the hardest player to acquire and Thomas is that. The package coming back, if they trade him, has to have huge potential because none of the prospects are a sure thing. There is a good chance that 3-4 prospects/picks that would come back would all amount to less than the player Thomas currently is.
The Sabres are shockingly good, And even more shockingly, Lindy Ruff is the coach.
He’s coached good teams before. They can never get over the top though.
Ruff has engineered several great teams, including:
2005-06 Sabres
2006-07 Sabres
2015-16 Stars
2022-23 Devils
I’m not including the 1998-99 Sabres because that team was all about Hasek. If he had anything close to that kind of goaltending later on, he would have won a few Cups.
“Buyers market”
For real. Last year’s #9 overall plus a 1st is high for a guy who, while surely is a locker room boon, has taken a step back this year and isn’t getting younger. His back spasms have hindered him for over two years now.
As a neutral observer, I hate seeing a solid human being like Parayko get moved. Just takes the heart out of a team and their fanbase.
Agreed. Looks like a great deal for the Blues, but it’s harder to get invested in a team with this much roster turnover. There’s a good chance that everyone left from the 2019 cup team is gone by the trade deadline (Thomas, Parayko, Binnington). That leaves Sundqvist, unless I’m forgetting someone. Who’s even the longest tenured public at that point? Faulk, and he might be gone too.
It’s been a tough 5 years for St Louis sports, but at least I’ve seen all the teams I care about win it all.
Want to add that Parayko has been nothing but a class act since he’s been here. His relationship with Laila during the cup run was awesome. Wish he was a little meaner sometimes, but he’s a great shut down d man
Add Schenn to that list too!
Oops knew I was forgetting someone!
One of top 5 blue lines in NHL. Nicely done!
Burst the bubble….. Back spasms since the olympics. Think hard about that before you give up anything. He is tough and gritty, but for how long?
He’s had back issues his entire career too and he isn’t getting younger.
One of the best fan bases in the league just got rewarded!
A 1st and Mrtka is a great return considering what Calgary got for Weegar.
I don’t think I would have done that move, especially giving up my first round pick of 2026 and a future prospect in Defenseman Mrtka. I would have stayed with the former GM Kevyn Adams approach of building the team for the future with the NHL Draft. Those young legs, young minds and active bodies will be good in three years tops after playing in the farm system. Oh well, let’s see what happens… 🧩🎱🤡
@cal. I meant it’s a great return for st. Louis
Seems to be taking a while to waive his NTC, have to wonder if this is going to happen.
Looks like not everyone is convinced Buffalo’s miracle season is for real. LOL.
This will make alot of Blues fans happy, but not so much management. Tricky spot to be in.
Ehhh, I’m for the rebuild, and moving out pricey vet contracts is high on the priority list for that to happen. The return was staggering, was actually stoked for the move. Alas….
There were certainly reasons for not waving, but it couldn’t have been sports-related ones. Buffalo is looking like they might be really good for the next years
Toronto will take that deal for Carlo. Give them a call….
Lucky for Buffalo this fell through. That’s a serious overpay for a *guy they don’t need.*
Can’t blame him really. I’d never want to play or live there.
Ooof
I think Parayko saved the Sabres here from regret
Colton Parayko is obviously one of the many players who are not a fan of living in Buffalo. There was a polling either early this season or last that had Winnipeg and Buffalo, one and two respectively as the least desired destinations to play for or live among the NHL organizations.
This is a blow to Buffalo with Parayko declining to waive his clause. Buffalo is going to have a challenge on convincing players to come but also live in Buffalo. It’s not for everyone.
Who cares. Buffalo is in a playoff spot because of homegrown talent & players would wanted to come there. 32yo with back spasms. Buffalo probably dodged a bullet.
Why the shot at Parayko? It would have been a fair deal and Parayko would have been great for you. His reason might not have been anything negative against Buffalo. Maybe it was family or just not wanting to move.
I’m wondering who leaked the info to Dreger. It’s not good for either GM’s reputation.
No palm trees in Buffalo
Quite frankly no Palm Trees in St Louis either lol.
Might boil down to taxes and the uprooting of his family. If KeyBank Center was in a tax free zone, the Sabres may have an opportunity at some of these good players.
I like Colton Parayko he’s a gentle giant , really a good guy ! With that said why would a hockey player choose to lose for 4 more years rather than go to place where it very possible to win and win big? Not the type of player I’d want on my team. Armstrong hands out no movement clauses like they are candy so he as a GM gets what he deserves . This decision is emotional rather than logical in my opinion. Colt has really screwed over Blues fans that’s sad and stupid …..