{"id":485794,"date":"2026-03-04T23:06:13","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T23:06:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/485794\/"},"modified":"2026-03-04T23:06:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T23:06:13","slug":"the-sabres-are-in-it-to-win-it-with-blueliner-almost-added","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/485794\/","title":{"rendered":"The Sabres are In It to Win It with Blueliner (Almost) Added"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Buffalo Sabres and the St. Louis Blues have reportedly agreed to a trade. The trade sends a depth defender to Buffalo in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick and 2025 ninth-overall pick, Radim Mrtka<\/a>. Buffalo adds Colton Parayko<\/a> to their blueline. At time of print, it is still pending player approval.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s believed Parayko to Buffalo is going to happen. Things are being finalized. Player needs to approve, etc.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 4, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The Buffalo Sabres are Buying in \u201926<\/p>\n

Buffalo came into the week of the 2025-26 trade deadline looking for a veteran blue liner. That would be preferably a right-handed shot. They get both of those things, and get their trade done. It\u2019s not Robert Thomas<\/a>, but this is a great add for the Sabres. They are wearing down their top-four defenceman, giving them all the ice time they can handle. With Parayko there to help, the burden eases on those four players.<\/p>\n

Parayko has just 14 points this season. But with the way Buffalo loves to activate their defencemen in the offensive zone, he should see a points bump. Parayko also adds some size, and a championship level of experience. He should be able to help out a young defensive group as they try to push into the playoffs for the first time in 14 years<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Parayko will join a stout blueline. Mainly with Rasmus Dahlin<\/a>, Owen Power<\/a>, Mattias Samuelsson<\/a>, and Bowen Byram<\/a>. The add for Buffalo takes a lot of pressure off of those four skaters in particular. the good news, all of these players, including Parayko, are signed for next season as well.<\/p>\n

First of Many Sells for the Blues<\/p>\n

The Sabres and the Blues seemingly were in big trade talks yesterday for Thomas. Seemingly, both teams just couldn\u2019t come to an agreement. Amidst those talks, Parayko\u2019s name repeatedly came up. Hence, the trade today. But is this a sign that the Blues are full on rebuilding? We should know ahead of Friday\u2019s deadline.<\/p>\n

The Blues still have a handful of players to move out if they are rebuilding. Thomas, Jordan Kyrou<\/a>, Pavel Buchnevich<\/a>, Justin Faulk<\/a>, and potentially others. The Blues general manager, Doug Armstrong, has some more decisions to make in the next couple. days. But here, they get a pick and a defensive prospect, a solid return for an aging asset.<\/p>\n

Overall this is a great trade for both sides. The Blues get a first round pick and a top-ten prospect from last year\u2019s draft. And the Sabres get a really solid veteran blue liner that will help them win games now. Also, this sets the bar pretty high in the trade market for those right-shot defenceman. There will be more to come this week, stay tuned in here at the Last Word On Hockey.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Main Photo Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

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