Blues' Colton Parayko Declines Trade to Sabres

Defenseman invokes no-movement clause to stay in St. Louis

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Blues defenseman Colton Parayko has declined a potential trade to the Buffalo Sabres, invoking the no-movement clause in his contract. The Blues and Sabres had reached an agreement to send Parayko to Buffalo, but the 32-year-old opted to remain in St. Louis, where he has spent his entire 11-year NHL career.

Why it matters

This is a significant blow to the Sabres, who are looking to end their 14-year playoff drought and are currently in second place in the Atlantic Division. Parayko's size, physicality, and previous playoff experience could have been valuable additions to the Sabres' defense.

The details

Parayko is in the fourth year of an eight-year, $52 million contract he signed with the Blues in 2021, which included a full no-trade clause. For the final two seasons of the deal, the clause is modified to a partial no-trade, allowing Parayko to submit a list of teams he cannot be traded to. Despite the trade agreement, Parayko chose to invoke his no-movement clause and remain with the Blues, the team that drafted him in the third round in 2012.

  • On March 5, 2026, the Blues and Sabres reached a trade agreement to send Parayko to Buffalo.

The players

Colton Parayko

A 32-year-old defenseman who has spent his entire 11-year NHL career with the St. Louis Blues, winning the Stanley Cup with the team in 2019.

Buffalo Sabres

An NHL team that is currently in second place in the Atlantic Division and looking to end a 14-year playoff drought.

St. Louis Blues

The NHL team that Colton Parayko has played for since being drafted by them in the third round in 2012.

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What they’re saying

“It's a wave of emotions. Obviously, a lot of things that kind of go through your mind, you kind of think back at the beginning of everything that has happened along the journey from the start. A lot of amazing teammates through my career that have helped me and I can't say enough about that.”

— Colton Parayko (St. Albert Gazette)

What’s next

The Sabres will need to explore other options to improve their defense ahead of the NHL trade deadline, as Parayko's decision to stay in St. Louis leaves them without the player they had targeted.

The takeaway

Colton Parayko's decision to decline a trade to the Sabres, despite the teams reaching an agreement, highlights the power that no-trade and no-movement clauses give players in the NHL. This move will have significant implications for the Sabres as they look to end their long playoff drought.