Edmonton and Buffalo both did well in Matt Savoie-Ryan McLeod trade

On Friday, the Buffalo Sabres traded Matthew Savoie to the Edmonton Oilers for Ryan McLeod and Tyler Tullio.

At first glance, the exchange seems one-sided, to the point of prompting comparisons between Martin Erat and Filip Forsberg.

In Savoie, the Sabres gave up a former ninth-overall pick, coming off a 2.09 points-per-game season and a WHL championship. In return, they got a sixth-round center and another prospect who had a slow start to his professional career. If you look at the deal that way, it’s not particularly good for the Sabres. It’s not like they’ve earned the benefit of the doubt, either, after 13 years away from the playoffs.

There are many facets to this trade, however, more to analyze than can be deduced from each player’s Elite Prospects reports.