The Blues reportedly had an agreement with the Sabres to trade Colton Parayko, but the veteran defenseman chose not to waive his no-trade clause, according to multiple reports.
St. Louis Blues defenseman Colton Parayko is not going to the Buffalo Sabres, according to reports by Sportsnet and The Athletic.
Reports surfaced Wednesday that the Blues and Sabres had an agreement in place on a trade that would send Parayko to Buffalo in exchange for prospect defenseman Radim Mrtka and a first-round pick.
Parayko, however, had to waive his no-trade clause for the trade to happen. He chose not to, as is his right as per his eight-year contract.
The 32-year-old is in the fourth year of that contract, which carries a $6.5-million cap hit through 2029-30. He has a full no-trade clause until 2028-29, when it becomes a 15-team no-trade list.
In 58 games this season, Parayko has one goal and 13 assists for 14 points. He also leads the Blues in blocked shots, with 141.
Parayko played on Team Canada at the Olympics and last year's 4 Nations Face-Off. The GM for the Canadian squad and the Blues, Doug Armstrong, described Parayko and Canada teammate Travis Sanheim as shutdown defenders who are tough to get past.
"It's like swimming in seaweed," Armstrong told reporters when Canada announced their Olympic roster. "I love those big players."
St. Louis would have received another big, right-handed defenseman if the trade with Buffalo were to go through. Mrtka stands 6-foot-6 and was drafted ninth overall at the 2025 NHL draft. He played for Czechia at the world juniors and had one assist in four games during a brief stint with the AHL's Rochester Americans. Right now, he's with the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds, where he has 29 points in 35 games.
The Sabres still have until 3 p.m. ET on Friday to acquire another defenseman if they wish.
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