Buffalo Sabres acquire Ryan McLeod from Edmonton Oilers

Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams added players to the roster today. Elliotte Friedman first reported that the Sabres acquired Ryan McLeod and Ty Tullio from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Matt Savoie. Buffalo fans demanded a trade, and they got one.

Looking at McLeod’s stats, he scored 12 goals and recorded 18 assists in 81 games played last season. During the Oilers’ playoff run, the forward scored four goals. As for Ty Tullio, he spent last season in the AHL, scoring nine goals and recording 12 assists in 54 games played for the Bakersfield Condors.

Savoie had a breakout season in the WHL with the Wenatchee Wild and Moose Jaw Warriors. Combining his stats with both teams, Matt recorded 30 goals, 41 assists and 71 points in 34 games played. Basically, the Sabres got their third-line center and a prospect who could very well be their top prospect in Savoie.

As for my thoughts on this move, I’m not going to jump to conclusions. In sports these days, you can’t make assumptions right away. Things have to go the way they should, that’s the mindset I have on this move. I’m not going to tell the fans what to do, but for me, we’ll see how things go.

It’s understandable that fans are upset about Savoie leaving for Edmonton; he was one of the Sabres’ top prospects. Here’s why fans should look past that. First, Buffalo got its third-line center. With Tage Thompson and Dylan Cozens on the team, Adams said he wanted one this offseason.

Even though it cost them a young and promising prospect in Savoie, McLeod wins faceoffs. Last season, he won 50.8% of the faceoffs he took. Ryan is also 24 years old and has potential to grow. Only time will tell, but personally, I’m okay with the trade.