Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - When Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams acquired Ryan McLeod from the Edmonton Oilers this offseason, he wanted a two-way center that the organization didn’t have. The Sabres paid a hefty price from McLeod, sending former first-round prospect Matt Savoie to the Oilers.
So far, the Sabres have gotten just what they wanted.
McLeod is one of the fastest skaters in the National Hockey League, and he’s played exactly the way the Sabres wanted him to. He’s also added three goals and four points in seven games, is a plus-4, and has helped Buffalo improve at faceoffs, winning 50% of his draws.
Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff says that’s one reasons you may see McLeod join a power play unit that has yet to score this season.
"There may even be thought, and we’ve talked about it, putting him on the power play because we’re losing a lot of draws," said Ruff following Monday's practice. "If the other team starts a lefty against our righty, to push him over to the other side, we would maybe start a McLeod or Krebs to win the draw, let them go net-front, and you’re going to automatically have possession instead of chasing it down the ice again."
In three seasons with the Oilers, McLeod scored 32 goals. Ruff thinks a lot of his offense is created with his skating and speed.
"Coming here, I wanted to add that piece to my game, and it’s coming still. It’s a confidence thing," said McLeod following Monday's session. "Shoot more pucks and get to the net a little more, but I’m happy with the way its progressing.
"As a team, I think we could get to the net more and get some more tip goals. Just getting more dirty is going to add to our offense."
McLeod says his teammates made him feel comfortable coming in, and he’s loved playing on a line with Jason Zucker and Jordan Greenway.
Greenway practiced again on Monday, and Ruff is not ruling him out of playing Tuesday night back at home.
"It’s a possibility for tomorrow [against the Dallas Stars]. I spent a little time talking to him and he feels like he’ll be able to go," Ruff said.
Rasmus Dahlin hasn’t even been a shell of himself so far this season. He missed most of training camp due to injury, and it’s been obvious he’s not 100%.
"I think really what hurt him the most was he missed a lot of camp, and even when he was back, he still wasn’t quite 100%. So it’s just time," Ruff said of his captain.
"I liked last game. I liked his breakouts, I liked the speed he came up the ice with. There was a lot of good in his game, and I think in the last couple of games, we’re starting to see his play really get elevated."
As far as if Dahlin is playing at 100%, Ruff believes he's getting close.
"I think understanding how we’re playing, that some of the opportunities that he’ll get will be a little bit different than he’s gotten in the past. We all expect him to be a guy that’s going to change games night-in and night-out for us," Ruff said.
MONDAY’S LINES:
Forwards:
Peterka - Thompson - Tuch
Quinn - Cozens - Kulich
Greenway - McLeod - Zucker
Malenstyn - Krebs - Lafferty
Benson
Defense:
Dahlin - Jokiharju
Byram - Power
Samuelsson - Clifton
Gilbert - Bryson