The Buffalo Sabres didn't land their premier center target, but they have officially made a massive splash anyway. After reports surfaced that blockbuster trade talks for Robert Thomas had died, Buffalo quickly pivoted to the back end, acquiring massive shutdown defenseman Colton Parayko from the St. Louis Blues today.
The Deal
To Buffalo:
Colton Parayko (RD)
To St. Louis:
Radim Mrtka
1st Round Pick
BREAKING: #Sabres finalizing deal to acquire Colton Parayko from #stlblues pending player approval, per @DarrenDreger. #Sabrehood
— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) March 4, 2026
Analysis: Buffalo
When the Robert Thomas blockbuster fell apart, likely over an exorbitant asking price for the $8.125M center, GM Kevyn Adams clearly wasn't ready to pack it in. Instead, he shifted his focus to the right side of the blue line. In Parayko, the Sabres get a 6-foot-6, 228-pound Stanley Cup champion who immediately stabilizes their top four. Buffalo has been desperate for a veteran defensive anchor to insulate young puck-movers like Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power. Parayko brings elite penalty-killing ability, massive reach, and the exact playoff pedigree this young roster craves to finally snap their postseason drought.
Analysis: St. Louis
While GM Doug Armstrong held the line on Robert Thomas, he used the momentum of those talks with Buffalo to extract a premium for Parayko. Moving the 32-year-old's $6.5M cap hit, which runs for another four seasons, is a massive win for the Blues' ongoing retool. Clearing that long-term money gives St. Louis incredible financial flexibility moving forward, while simultaneously recouping future assets from a motivated Buffalo team.
Mackenzie Weegar has reportedly been traded to the Utah Mammoth pending his trade approval
Also today: hearing Utah and Calgary are closing in on a MacKenzie Weegar deal that awaits his approval.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 4, 2026
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