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Parayko refuses to waive no-trade clause, deal fails

Originally posted on Ball Exclusives | By Cameron Joyce | Last updated Mar 5, 2026 3:49 PM ET

Colton Parayko refused to waive his no-trade clause, effectively ending the trade that would have sent him to Buffalo. He is still a player for the St. Louis Blues.

Officially, Colton Parayko has declined to waive his no-trade clause to Buffalo — as is his contractual right.

We will see where we go from here

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 5, 2026

The deal is a heartbreaker for the Sabres. They were willing to give a lot for Parayko, with Radim Mrtka and a rumored-first round pick were part of the deal.

It still seems as though Parayko will be shopped around before Friday’s deadline. With the Blues last in the Central Division and showing no signs of improvement, they may be looking for a bigger return for Parayko.

On the other hand, the deal is a huge loss for the Sabres. The team is looking to make the playoffs for the first time in over a decade, and Parayko would have helped with depth at the blue line. They will now have to scramble for other options quickly. Other potential options are Justin Faulk, or Dougie Hamilton.

This article first appeared on Ball Exclusives and was syndicated with permission.

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