Sabres Seek Defensive Reinforcements After Parayko Snub

Buffalo looks to bolster blue line with physical, defensive-minded options ahead of trade deadline

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The Buffalo Sabres were rebuffed in their efforts to acquire St. Louis Blues defenseman Colton Parayko, who exercised his no-trade clause to reject a move to Buffalo. Now, Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen must pivot and search for alternative options to shore up the team's defensive corps before the NHL trade deadline.

Why it matters

The Sabres were hoping to land Parayko, a big, physical defenseman with a strong two-way game, to help solidify their blue line. His rejection leaves a hole that the team must address if they hope to continue their push for a playoff spot. Finding the right replacement is crucial for Buffalo's postseason aspirations.

The details

With Parayko off the table, the Sabres are now eyeing other defensemen with similar playing styles, including Rasmus Ristolainen of the Philadelphia Flyers, Zach Whitecloud of the Calgary Flames, and veteran Luke Schenn of the Winnipeg Jets. Each of these players brings a physical, defensive-minded presence that could complement Buffalo's existing roster.

  • On March 2, 2026, the Sabres were reportedly close to acquiring Colton Parayko from the St. Louis Blues.
  • On March 3, 2026, Parayko exercised his no-trade clause and rejected the move to Buffalo.

The players

Colton Parayko

A defenseman for the St. Louis Blues who was nearly traded to the Buffalo Sabres but ultimately rejected the move.

Rasmus Ristolainen

A 31-year-old defenseman for the Philadelphia Flyers who has a similar physical, defensive style to Parayko and could be a target for the Sabres.

Zach Whitecloud

A 29-year-old defenseman who was recently traded from the Vegas Golden Knights to the Calgary Flames and could be another option for the Sabres.

Luke Schenn

A 36-year-old veteran defenseman for the Winnipeg Jets who, while not as young as the other options, brings a wealth of experience and a physical presence that could interest the Sabres.

Jarmo Kekalainen

The general manager of the Buffalo Sabres who must now find an alternative to Colton Parayko to bolster the team's defensive corps.

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What they’re saying

“Parayko isn't the last available defenseman who plays a similar physical, defensive style.”

— Andre Leal, Author (sportingnews.com)

“Rasmus Ristolainen is likely the best remaining defenseman with a style similar to Parayko's.”

— Andre Leal, Author (sportingnews.com)

What’s next

The Sabres will need to act quickly to identify and acquire a suitable replacement for Colton Parayko before the NHL trade deadline passes.

The takeaway

The Sabres' failed pursuit of Colton Parayko highlights the challenges of building a contending roster in the NHL, where even the best-laid plans can be derailed by a player's personal preferences. However, the team's need for defensive reinforcements remains, and they must now pivot to find an alternative that can help them maintain their playoff push.