PITTSBURGH – Colton Parayko won’t be joining the Sabres. The St. Louis Blues defenseman, who has a no-trade clause, has rejected a deal that would’ve sent him to Buffalo, according to multiple reports.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman first reported the veteran’s decision.
Parayko, 32, would’ve beefed up the Sabres’ blue line before Friday’s 3 p.m. trade deadline.
On Wednesday afternoon, TSN’s Darren Dreger reported the Sabres and St. Louis Blues were finalizing a trade that would send Parayko, a right-handed shot, to Buffalo in exchange for defense prospect Radim Mrtka, the ninth overall pick in 2025, and a first-round pick.
Victory+’s Frank Seravalli reported the framework of the deal was in place.
Even without Parayko, the Sabres possess one of the NHL’s deepest and most talented defense corps.
Parayko has registered 78 goals, 309 points and 214 penalty minutes in 781 career NHL games over 11 seasons. He won the Stanley Cup in 2019 and has played 89 career playoff games.
He has compiled one goal, 15 points, 16 penalty minutes and a minus-14 rating in 58 contests this season. He averages 22 minutes, 24 seconds per outing.
He set career highs by scoring 16 goals and 36 points in 64 games last season.
Parayko has four years remaining after this season on his eight-year, $52 million contract.