Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550/WBEN) - Despite the Sabres and St. Louis Blues finalizing a trade that would send Colton Parayko to Buffalo, the veteran defenseman has nixed the deal with the no-trade clause in his contract. Sportsnet hockey insider Elliotte Friedman was the first to report the news Thursday.
Both teams had reportedly come to terms on a deal surrounding Parayko on Wednesday, with the Sabres willing to give up a first-round pick and 2025 first-round pick Radim Mrtka as part of the package.
Parayko has a full no-trade clause that he would have to waive it in order for the Blues to facilitate a trade with any team in the NHL. He is currently in Year 4 of an eight-year contract he signed with the Blues back in 2021 worth an average annual value of $6.5 million.
According the NHL insider Frank Seravalli, Parayko remains open to a trade to a different destination, but prefers to remain in St. Louis, where he has spent the entirety of his 11-year career.
Parayko has been a longtime stalwart on the St. Louis blue line, playing in 781 career games and scoring 78 goals and adding 231 assists for 309 points, while averaging 22:29 of ice-time as a top-four defenseman.
The 26-year-old was a former third-round pick (86th overall) of the Blues in the 2012 NHL Draft.
Buffalo and St. Louis have been in reported talks over the last few days, with trade discussions having surrounded the likes of Parayko, fellow defenseman Justin Faulk and center Robert Thomas.
The NHL Trade Deadline is set for Friday at 3 p.m. EST.
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