Sabres Closing in on Colton Parayko Trade But One Major Hurdle Remains

The Buffalo Sabres have made a big move to bolster their defensive group, acquiring veteran defenseman Colton Parayko from the St. Louis Blues in a massive trade. This move sends a large package of assets to St. Louis, indicating that Buffalo is making a serious push to take a big step forward as they continue to build towards a playoff contender.

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For the Sabres, acquiring Parayko solves one of the team’s biggest holes: a top-pairing right-shot defenseman who can play big minutes in all situations. Parayko is a 32-year-old defenseman who has long been known for his shutdown abilities, physical play, and cannon of a right-hand shot from the point. At 6-foot-6, Parayko is a big defenseman who gives Buffalo a presence they lacked against some of the more physical teams in the Eastern Conference.

Trade Hinges on Parayko’s Decision

The situation remains fluid. Reports suggest Parayko has been presented with the option to waive his clause and join Buffalo, but he has yet to give a final answer. Early indications suggest there is optimism that he could agree to the move, though nothing is confirmed yet.

Because of that, the trade should still be viewed as potential rather than completed. Until Parayko waives the clause, the deal cannot move forward.

Defensive Stability for Buffalo

Buffalo has had a talented but inconsistent defense corps in recent years. The team has had talented defensemen such as Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power, who have high ceilings for offense from the back end, but the team has needed a more defensive-oriented player who can step up in big games against top opponents.

Parayko is just the player Buffalo has needed. The veteran defenseman averages more than 23 minutes per night and has the ability to shut down top opponents’ skill players. He also has penalty killing and shot-blocking ability, which should help shore up Buffalo’s defense, which has been a problem for the team in big games.

There is also the possibility for Parayko to play with Dahlin and help him become more dangerous in the offense. Dahlin is a talented player, but if he has a more defensive-oriented player such as Parayko, then Dahlin can become even more dangerous in the offense. The team could also look to spread their talent around and give Dahlin a new partner in Owen Power.

A Statement Move by the Sabres

This deal is a clear statement of intent by the Sabres organization. Rather than waiting on their young core to slowly develop, the Sabres are showing that they are willing to speed up their timeline to be competitive.

Parayko’s deal will also give the Sabres stability on defense as their young core continues to develop.

If Parayko can live up to expectations, this deal could be the catalyst to change the Sabres on defense and bring them closer to being a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference.

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