Blues’ Parayko declines to waive his no-trade clause for move to Sabres

Colton Paryako has elected not to waive his no-trade clause for a move to the Buffalo Sabres.

The St. Louis Blues reached a deal Wednesday to send Parayko to Buffalo, but it hinged on whether he approved it.

TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reported Wednesday that Radim Mrtka and a first-round pick would have been part of the return for the Blues.

Mrkta was selected ninth overall by the Sabres back in June’s 2025 NHL Draft. The 18-year-old defenceman has one goal and 29 points in 35 games with the Seattle Thunderbirds this season.

“There’s a lot of mixed signals right now, and it’s a tough one to get a firm handle on,” TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston explained of the situation Thursday morning, prior to Parayko making his final decision, on Early Trading.

“There are people out there that believe he is ultimately going to green light this deal and waive it once he goes through this period of thinking things through. But there have been some other voices here saying it’s not. And so, I’m not going to guess at this stage.

“But it’s pretty unusual to have a situation like this where you have a trade being out there in the public. Our Darren Dreger broke it on Wednesday – broke the news of the fact the Sabres and Blues had reached this agreement pending Parayko signing off on it. And to be sitting here more than 12 hours later where it’s still hanging out in the air is a little strange.

“You have to think that, given everything, that the Blues will find a way to make this work. But whether it’s in Buffalo or if it has to be somewhere else, I mean, this is a big meatball just hanging out there. And as the time passes, I think there’s a little bit more doubt about whether Parayko will in fact green light the move.”

Parayko, 32, is in the fourth year of an eight-year, $52 million deal.

A native of St. Albert, Alta., Parayko is in his 11th NHL season. He’s appeared in 58 games this season, averaging 22:24 of ice-time a night. He has a goal and 14 assists.

Originally taken with the 86th overall pick in 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Parayko has appeared in 781 career games. He has 78 goals and 231 assists.

Parayko was a key part of the Blues team that won the 2019 Stanley Cup.

Internationally, Parayko has represented Canada on a number of occasions, including as part of a silver medal-winning effort at last month’s Milano-Cortina Olympics.