By Matthew Fairburn and Daniel Nugent-Bowman
The Buffalo Sabres traded 20-year-old ahead prospect Matt Savoie to the Edmonton Oilers in change for middle Ryan McLeod and ahead prospect Tyler Tullio, the groups introduced Friday.
We’ve got acquired Ryan McLeod and Tyler Tullio from the Edmonton Oilers in change for Matt Savoie.
Particulars: https://t.co/nW9VxUzgmC pic.twitter.com/MgTxzqZHKC
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) July 5, 2024
Savoie, the No. 9 decide within the 2022 NHL Draft, appeared in just one NHL sport and eight AHL video games within the Sabres’ group within the two years since he’s been drafted. McLeod, 24, had a career-best 30 factors in 81 video games throughout the common season whereas averaging 14:14 of ice time per night time. Tullio, a 2020 fifth-round decide, had 9 targets and 21 factors whereas taking part in within the AHL this season.
Buffalo basic supervisor Kevyn Adams mentioned repeatedly this offseason he advised groups across the league he was prepared to commerce draft picks and prospects in a deal that might assist the Sabres enhance their NHL roster. He traded a second-round decide on the NHL Draft to the Washington Capitals for Beck Malenstyn, a 26-year-old ahead identified for his physicality and defensive play.
McLeod is an addition that might slot in increased in Buffalo’s lineup. And buying and selling Savoie, who was one of many prime prospects within the Sabres’ system, reveals they consider in what McLeod may deliver.
Buffalo additionally introduced it signed defenseman Henri Jokiharju to a one-year contract price $3.1 million. He was a restricted free agent and shall be an unrestricted free agent after this contract. Based on Cap Pleasant, the Sabres have about $13.7 million in cap area after their strikes at this time.
They nonetheless should signal restricted free brokers Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Peyton Krebs and Beck Malenstyn left to signal. Luukkonen, Buffalo’s beginning goalie final season, and Malenstyn, a current commerce acquisition, have each elected for wage arbitration, in keeping with the NHLPA. Arbitration hearings shall be held from July 20 to Aug. 4, so the Sabres nonetheless have time to return to an settlement with these gamers earlier than the hearings.
What Sabres are getting in McLeod
McLeod is likely one of the quickest gamers within the NHL, in keeping with the NHL’s monitoring information. He reached a prime velocity of 23.82 miles per hour final season and had 373-speed bursts over 20 miles per hour. Each rank among the many finest within the NHL.
The Sabres added a whole lot of velocity to the underside six of their lineup within the final week, buying and selling for Malenstyn and signing Nicolas Aube-Kubel and Sam Lafferty.
In addition they added Jason Zucker, who nonetheless thinks he can deliver velocity to the lineup at 32 years previous. Clearly, that was a precedence for Buffalo this offseason. McLeod’s offensive manufacturing hasn’t popped within the NHL but, however he’s been a succesful two-way participant for the Oilers and needs to be the Sabres’ third-line middle.
He’s additionally from Mississauga, Ont., so he’ll now be taking part in nearer to residence.
What Oilers are getting in Savoie
Savoie has handled accidents the final two seasons however he’s been one of the crucial productive gamers within the WHL since he was drafted. He had 71 factors in 34 regular-season video games within the WHL final season after which added 10 targets and 24 factors in 19 playoff video games whereas main Moose Jaw to a WHL championship.
The Sabres have a ton of depth of their prospect pool, particularly after including one other middle, Konsta Helenius, within the first spherical of the draft final week.
In addition they have two different extremely touted facilities in 2022 first-rounders Noah Ostlund and Jiri Kulich. And 2023 second-round decide Anton Wahlberg has additionally performed middle as nicely. That made it possible that Savoie was going to shift to wing within the NHL, and Buffalo wasn’t going to have room for each prospect of their system.
Savoie is from Edmonton so he will get an opportunity to play nearer to residence and has the upside to be an influence NHL participant within the prime six of a lineup.
Why have been the Oilers prepared to commerce McLeod?
McLeod was within the crosshairs to be dealt by the Oilers after an inconsistent common season and a subpar postseason — no less than till the Stanley Cup Last — mixed with the group’s massive spending in free company. Edmonton stays over the wage cap even along with his $2.1 million hit off the books. Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg are RFAs, too.
McLeod did not document a degree within the first 14 video games of the Oilers’ playoff run, leading to him being scratched for Sport 3 of the Western Convention Last. He responded with 4 targets in his final 10 video games earlier than Edmonton was eradicated in Sport 7 of the Last.
He’s a strong defensive participant, one thing that’s significantly noticeable when he performs his most comfy and most popular place of middle.
He performed a distinguished function on the penalty kill, which allowed simply 4 targets within the playoffs, principally used on third ahead duo alongside Warren Foegele — who signed with the Los Angeles Kings in free company.
McLeod’s finest manufacturing this previous season got here at left wing on a line with Foegele and Leon Draisaitl. He should work on taking part in extra on the inside and driving to the online, facets coaches within the group have been harping on him to do since he turned professional in 2019.
Curiously, the Oilers opted to not qualify Savoie’s older brother, Carter, final week after he spent two years with AHL Bakersfield. The incoming Savoie immediately turns into the Oilers’ finest prospect as they attempt to replenish one of many worst pipelines within the league. — Daniel Nugent-Bowman, Oilers beat author
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(Picture: Andy Devlin / Getty Photographs)