Blues’ Colton Parayko blocks trade to Sabres

Colton Parayko is staying in St. Louis.

The veteran defenceman has chosen to not waive his no-trade clause to move to the Buffalo Sabres, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Thursday.

The Blues and Sabres had agreed to a trade involving Parayko on Wednesday, but the deal couldn’t go through without the player’s permission.

Now, the Sabres will have to look elsewhere to boost their defence for the upcoming playoff push.

Parayko, 32, is coming off a silver medal at the Olympics with Team Canada.

A six-foot-six right shot, Parayko helped the Blues win the Stanley Cup in 2019 and is known more for his play away from the puck than with it. He has one goal and 14 points in 58 games on the season, but he set career highs in goals (16) and points (36) in 204-25.

The 11-year NHL veteran is in the fourth season of an eight-year deal with a $6.5 million cap hit.

The Blues have disappointed this season, sitting near the bottom of the standings in the Western Conference. As a result, most of their veteran players have been mentioned in trade rumours, including Parayko, Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou and Justin Faulk.

Buffalo, meanwhile, has been a pleasant surprise in the East, sitting second in the Atlantic Division with 78 points in 61 games and on pace to break a 14-year playoff drought.