Buffalo Sabres newcomer looks like an absolute steal in 2024-25

Top-six scorer or not, Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams should get some glowing early-season reviews for bringing in one player because they have been a revelation so far. I discussed this player from outer orbit earlier in the week, but now that we’re eight games into the season, they’re looking more like an absolute steal than ever. 

The player I’m talking about, of course, is Ryan McLeod, whose acquisition raised a few eyebrows when the Blue and Gold shipped Matt Savoie to Edmonton for the center’s services. This was a trade that I couldn’t not like, even if it meant moving a high-ceiling prospect like Savoie, and one I’d have criticized had it occurred a year ago. 

Anyway, while McLeod hasn’t been winning faceoffs in the way I thought he would, nor has he been a physical player or a puck thief, he’s impressing as a scorer. So far this season, McLeod has found the net four times and logged an assist, good for five points in eight games. 

McLeod is also boasting a plus-4 rating, and he’s been on the ice for nine goals at even strength, giving him an on-ice shooting percentage of 18.4. This is coming with an offensive zone starting percentage of 39.7, a Corsi For of 47.6, and an on-ice save percentage of 91.3, all of which are spectacular numbers. 

So far, so good for Ryan McLeod’s short time in a Buffalo Sabres uniform

While he’s not someone the Sabres have put onto their man advantage, McLeod has contributed on special teams with Buffalo’s short-handed unit. He’s been on the ice for a short-handed goal, and the Sabres have only allowed one puck to find the net while he’s been out there. 

Overall, it’s still early, and yes, some fans will argue that we need more than an eight-game sample size. And I agree, we can’t just judge a newcomer after eight games and think they’re a steal. 

But that’s not the point of this article, hence the phrase ‘looks like’ in the headline. That said, McLeod is trending in the way of a steal, but we’ll need to see if he keeps this up for an entire season before christening him as a player the Sabres need to keep long term, or if they won out on this trade. 

But as it stands, Savoie is still in the AHL, even if he’s enjoying a respectable season with the Bakersfield Condors.