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\nColton Parayko to Buffalo: Sabres land elite right-shot defenseman
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Hockey Patrol has no direct affiliation to the Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL or NHLPA<\/p>\n
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Photo credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
The Toronto Maple Leafs see divisional rivals make a splash as the Buffalo Sabres acquire defenseman Colton Parayko ahead of Friday’s deadline as they look to end a 14-year playoff drought and find themselves in a much better spot to do so now.<\/p>\n
Defenseman Colton Parayko has been dealt by the St. Louis Blues to the Buffalo Sabres in a deal that sends to St. Louis prospect defenseman and 2025 first rounder Radim Mrtka and a first round pick.<\/p>\n
According to Darren Dreger, who first reported the news, says that Parayko has to waive his no-move clause to finalize the deal between the two sides.<\/p>\n
Parayko, a 6’6 right-handed defenseman, is in the fourth year of an eight year deal at $6.5M annually. The 32-year-old has a goal and 14 points in 58 games this season with St. Louis, winning a silver medal with Canada at the 2026 Olympics.<\/p>\n
The Blues, who are second last in the NHL with 53 points and a 22-29-9 record, are also reportedly looking to move Robert Thomas, a deal with Buffalo reportedly falling apart last night.<\/p>\n
Mrtka, 18, was drafted by the Sabres with the ninth overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. The Czech defenseman has a goal and 29 points in 35 games in the WHL for the Seattle Thunderbirds this season.<\/p>\n
Mrtka has gained comparisons for Parayko as a player, a logical comparison given similar size and a puck-moving game, both doing well as covering the ice with their skating ability and not being high volume scorers.<\/p>\n
Buffalo is second in the Atlantic Division with 78 points and a 36-19-6 record, two points back of the Tampa Bay Lightning for first.<\/p>\n