Should the Buffalo Sabres trade for Ryan O’Reilly?

One major outlet suggested the Buffalo Sabres trade for a familiar face in Ryan O’Reilly. So is this a good idea? Let’s talk about it. 

Jacob D. Stroyzk of The Hockey Writers recently proposed that the Buffalo Sabres can solve their faceoff woes by trading for a familiar face in center Ryan O’Reilly. For a team that is on the outside and looking in regarding playoff contention, they need to bolster their weaknesses, and clearly, faceoffs continues to be this group’s weak suit.

While the Blue and Gold aren’t finding themselves in the NHL’s basement in most instances these days, one outlier is winning faceoffs, where they sit in 32nd at a 44.9% FOW%. This would be where the familiar face in O’Reilly comes in, who would most likely take over at center on the fourth line with familiar faces in Kyle Okposo and Zemgus Girgensons should such a trade occur. But should it?

Should Ryan O’Reilly return to the Buffalo Sabres?

We must remember that the last time O’Reilly was here, he basically quit on the team. Even if the subsequent trade brought the Sabres Tage Thompson, the way O’Reilly left is a major red flag here. Clearly, he didn’t lose his love for hockey, as he continues to play for the team Buffalo traded him to, the St. Louis Blues.

O’Reilly would also need to adjust playing on the bottom six. While he is still a top six forward, seeing substantially less ice time may not be something he is looking for.

One positive is that O’Reilly would at least dent the Blue and Gold’s faceoff woes. Plus, if you line him up beside Girgensons and Okposo, he has a sense of familiarity. If the Sabres continue to contend, O’Reilly is a player who  is experienced in navigating through late season playoff races and the playoffs themselves.

And that would make a huge help to a young Buffalo Sabres team. And of course, O’Reilly would immediately help the Sabres win faceoffs, theoretically giving them more puck possession and scoring opportunities. That’s a scary thought. 

How much would it cost the Sabres?

So if this trade were to occur, what would it cost the Sabres? Stroyzk listed three potential trades, but I will go with my favorite suggestion: Casey Mittelstadt, Erik Portillo, and a 2023 fourth round pick. 

Clearly, the Sabres would get rid of Mittelstadt, whose value should be rising somewhat given his better than expected production this year. Portillo (feel free to substitute with Ryan Johnson) has a limited window to sign, so the Sabres would be looking to get rid of them. The fourth round pick would be the bare minimum, but if need be, they can always bump that up to a third rounder.

So should this trade occur? There are clear pros and cons, but I would say yes if the asking price is no higher than what I listed above. However, the Sabres shouldn’t give up a high end prospect or anything higher than a third round pick for O’Reilly.

Article Source: Sabres Can Solve Their Biggest Problem Trading for Ryan O’Reilly by Jacob D. Stroyzk 

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