Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) – Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said earlier this week he was going to continue to look for more trades this offseason. He was able to do just that on Friday.
The Sabres announced the acquisition of center Ryan McLeod and prospect Tyler Tullio from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for 2022 first-round pick Matt Savoie.
The 24-year-old McLeod is considered one of the fastest players in the National Hockey League, and should be a good fit as the Sabres' third center behind Tage Thompson and Dylan Cozens.
McLeod is an excellent two-way center, and scored some big goals for the Oilers in their recent run to the Stanley Cup Final. He had four goals in 24 playoff games this year, while putting up five assists in 12 playoff games in 2023.
This past season saw McLeod play 81 games, where he scored 12 goals and added 18 assists for 30 points. He also grades out very well numbers-wise.
Tullio was the Oilers' fifth-round pick (126th overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft. In 117 games with the Bakersfield Condors, Tullio only had 22 goals and 25 assists for 47 points.
The 22-year-old will help the Rochester Americans at center.
As for Savoie, he was taken ninth overall by the Sabres in the 2022 NHL Draft. He has ripped up junior hockey for the past two seasons, but has had trouble staying healthy.
Savoie brings speed to the game, but Buffalo just drafted Konsta Helenius in the first round of this year’s draft. Adams said on draft day that Helenius was going to be a center only.
They already have first-rounders Jiri Kulich and Noah Ostlund playing center, so that may have made Savoie expendable.
