St. Louis Blues defenseman Colton Parayko rejected a potential trade to the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday by choosing not to waive his no-trade clause, effectively putting an end to the deal. The trade, reported by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, would have sent Parayko to Buffalo ahead of the NHL trade deadline, but his refusal kept him in St. Louis.
Details of the Proposed Trade and Player’s Decision
According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, the Sabres and Blues were finalizing a trade involving a first-round pick and prospect defenseman Radim Mrtka heading to St. Louis in exchange for Parayko. However, Parayko’s right to veto the transaction was decisive. While the defenseman opted to stay with the Blues, Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic noted the choice was “not an easy decision.”
NHL insider Frank Seravalli added that although Parayko remains open to being traded elsewhere, he specifically declined the Buffalo deal, expressing a preference to continue playing for the Blues.
Parayko’s Career and Current Season Summary
At 32 years old, Parayko has spent his entire 11-year NHL career with the St. Louis Blues, who selected him in the third round of the 2012 NHL Draft. The 6-foot-6, 228-pound rearguard from St. Albert, Alberta, has played in 781 regular-season games for St. Louis, accumulating 78 goals, 231 assists, and totaling 309 points along with a plus-53 rating.
In postseason play, Parayko has tallied 11 goals and 27 assists in 89 games, playing a key role in the Blues’ first Stanley Cup championship in 2019. Last season, he recorded a career-high 16 goals and 36 points but has been limited this year to one goal and 13 assists over 58 games.
Parayko recently contributed to Canada’s silver medal-winning performance at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, highlighting his continued high-level impact and accomplishments.
Team Situations and Trade Deadline Dynamics
This season, the Blues are struggling, holding one of the lowest records in the Western Conference with 55 points. This performance places them among potential sellers as the trade deadline approaches. Conversely, the Sabres are enjoying one of their strongest campaigns, sitting third in the Eastern Conference with 78 points and aiming to finally break their 14-year playoff drought.
Before the attempted Parayko deal, Dreger reported that trade discussions also focused on St. Louis forward Robert Thomas. Though talks advanced considerably, Buffalo was unwilling to meet St. Louis’s steep asking price, which included a first-round pick, prospects, and a roster player.
Impact of Parayko’s Decision on Buffalo’s Trade Strategy
The Sabres reportedly matched the high price demanded for Parayko, but the no-trade clause prevented the move from materializing. Acquiring Parayko would have been a major “win-now” acquisition for Buffalo, bolstering their defensive lineup alongside Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, Bowen Byram, and Mattias Samuelsson.
Parayko’s contract, extending through 2030 with an average annual value of $6.5 million, would have represented a solid long-term investment. With the trade blocked, Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen remains tasked with seeking alternative options to strengthen the roster as Buffalo looks to be an aggressive buyer this season for the first time in several years.
Officially, Colton Parayko has declined to waive his no-trade clause to Buffalo — as is his contractual right.
We will see where we go from here
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 5, 2026
Sounds like Radim Mrtka and a 1st will be part of it. https://t.co/SHTSjJdcZH
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 4, 2026
It wasn't an easy decision, but Colton Parayko decided not to waive his NTC for a trade to Buffalo.
Trade with Sabres will not be happening.— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) March 5, 2026
I'm told #stlblues Colton Parayko is open to a trade to a different destination, and of course prefers to stay in St. Louis.
But not Buffalo – an outcome not all that different than Tyler Myers with Detroit.
Now, will another team pay the same price Buffalo put on the table?
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 5, 2026
Update: It’s believed St Louis/Buffalo went the distance on Thomas trade talks. Sounds like the Sabres aren’t willing to part with the necessary pieces. (Prospects, Player, 1st). Still teams nibbling, but the Blues are firm in what the return needs to be for the young center.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 4, 2026
