Sabres Face Uncertainty as Parayko Weighs Trade Options

Colton Parayko's no-move clause gives him leverage in potential trade to Buffalo

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The Buffalo Sabres have reportedly agreed to a trade for St. Louis Blues defenseman Colton Parayko, but the deal is pending Parayko's approval. Parayko has a 15-team no-trade list, and NHL Network's Brian Lawton suggests that other teams may now be jumping into the mix to try and acquire the defenseman. This scenario highlights the increasing power of no-trade and no-move clauses in the NHL, which can leave teams like the Sabres in limbo as they wait for a player to decide their future.

Why it matters

The Sabres are in need of a right-shot defenseman to bolster their roster, and Parayko would be an exciting addition. However, his no-move clause gives him leverage in the situation, potentially allowing him to hold out for a better destination or even decide not to waive it at all. This leaves the Sabres in a precarious position as they wait on Parayko's decision.

The details

The reported trade agreement between the Sabres and Blues for Parayko is pending the player's approval. Parayko has a 15-team no-trade list, and with the news of the potential deal, other teams may now be trying to get involved and convince Parayko to waive his clause for them instead of Buffalo. This scenario is similar to what happened with Tyler Myers earlier this week, where he initially didn't want to go to the Detroit Red Wings but eventually waived his clause to be traded to the Dallas Stars.

  • The reported trade agreement between the Sabres and Blues for Colton Parayko was reached on March 5, 2026.

The players

Colton Parayko

A defenseman for the St. Louis Blues who has a 15-team no-trade clause, giving him leverage in potential trades.

Tyler Myers

A defenseman who recently waived his no-trade clause to be traded from the Vancouver Canucks to the Dallas Stars, after initially not wanting to go to the Detroit Red Wings.

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What they’re saying

“With a 15-team no-trade list and reports that a Colton Parayko deal between the Blues and Sabres is agreed to—pending the player's approval—you have to imagine several other clubs are now jumping into the mix... This will either be wrapped up quickly … or things are about to get wild in a hurry. Moving families mid-season is a big decision for players. With the massive uptick in NMCs and no-trade clauses, get used to this scenario as rule changes continue to reshape the trade landscape.”

— Brian Lawton, NHL Network Analyst (X)

What’s next

The Sabres will have to wait for Colton Parayko to decide whether he will waive his no-trade clause to be traded to Buffalo or if he will hold out for a different destination.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the growing power of no-trade and no-move clauses in the NHL, which can leave teams like the Sabres in limbo as they wait for a player to make a decision on their future. It also shows the risk teams face in pursuing high-profile trades that are contingent on a player's approval.