Pittsburgh Hockey Insider has no direct affiliation to the Pittsburgh Penguins, NHL or NHLPA
St. Louis Blues' Colton Parayko makes his decision on the Buffalo Sabres deal
Photo credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
TSN's Darren Dreger reported a Blues-Sabres framework, but the latest X post says Colton Parayko declined to waive his no-trade clause for Buffalo.
That's a $6.5M cap hit with full control, right before the March 6 deadline.
Parayko is under contract through 2029-30, and his deal includes a full no-trade clause through 2026-27. That clause is the whole story right now.
On the ice, this is the classic right-shot minutes-eater swing. Buffalo wants a matchup guy who can calm their blue line when games get track-meet fast.
Parayko's 2025-26 line is 1-13-14 in 58 games, and he still logs heavy defensive work. That profile fits a team trying to stop bleeding rush chances.
The reported price was loud, Radim Mrtka plus a first-round pick. Mrtka is 18, drafted 2025, 1st round, 9th overall by the Buffalo Sabres.
Pat Maroon called it earlier today.
With Parayko's "no", Buffalo's leverage shifts into scramble mode. You can't shop a target who won't open the door.
St. Louis, meanwhile, gets to re-aim without forcing a bad return. The Blues can keep the player and still sell the idea of "premium RHD available, with permission."
Colton Parayko keeps the St. Louis Blues in control
Blues fans have seen this movie, deadline noise gets real, then the clause slams shut and everyone argues about "why not?" for a week.
For the next game, it likely means Parayko stays in his usual hard minutes, and the rest of the blue line keeps the same pecking order.
For the deadline, the real pivot is Buffalo. Do they overpay elsewhere for a right-shot, or settle for a cheaper fit and live with the flaws?
If I'm the Sabres, I'm calling the next tier immediately and protecting my first-rounder. If I'm the Blues, I'm letting the market sweat.
Either way, Parayko just reminded the league that paper matters as much as performance.
Also read on HockeyUnplugged :
Dan Muse confirms Arturs Silovs start, Blake Lizotte trending back for Penguins
Dan Muse confirms Arturs Silovs start, Blake Lizotte trending back for Penguins
| POLL | ||
MARS 5|95 ANSWERS St. Louis Blues' Colton Parayko makes his decision on the Buffalo Sabres deal Should Colton Parayko have waived his no-trade clause to join the Buffalo Sabres? | ||
| Yes | 51 | 53.7 % |
| No | 44 | 46.3 % |
| List of polls | ||