The Buffalo Sabres' top scorer, center Tage Thompson, is tied for 25th in the NHL with 79 points this season, which is more than 50 points behind league leader Connor McDavid (133).
What the Sabres lack in high-end production, they've made up for with incredible depth within their forward group. One of the most important middle-six contributors is Ryan McLeod, who's fit in perfectly since arriving in a 2024 trade with McDavid's Edmonton Oilers.
Harman Dayal of The Athletic selected McLeod as one of the league's seven most underrated forwards, saying he's "blossomed into an extremely valuable, well-rounded second-line center."
"What makes McLeod such an effective all-around driver? The 26-year-old has developed into a machine for transporting the puck up ice because of his elite speed and underrated transition passes, as he ranks in the top-10 percent of NHL forwards in generating defensive zone exits with possession and the top-15 percent in offensive zone entries with possession," Dayal wrote. "That puck transportation puts his line in an advantageous position to control possession and attack rather than defend."
McLeod has recorded 106 points (33 goals and 73 assists) across 159 appearances in his two seasons with the Sabres. That includes a career-high 40 helpers so far in 2025-26.
Ryan McLeod is a critical piece of the Buffalo Sabres' roster puzzle ahead of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Two years ago, the Sabres received a lot of criticism for giving up prized prospect Matthew Savoie in exchange for McLeod, who hadn't topped 30 points in his first three NHL seasons.
Matt Larkin of Daily Faceoff was among the vocal critics of the trade:
Savoie trade has Forsberg for Erat/Latta vibes. My jaw is on the floor
— Matt Larkin (@MLarkinHockey) July 5, 2024
McLeod has since developed into one of the league's most valuable middle-six centers, while Savoie struggled to find his footing in Edmonton. He's shown some promise down the stretch, however, tallying 15 points in 22 games, suggesting it may become a win-win trade in the end.
It'll never be the massive mistake many projected it to become for Buffalo, though.
McLeod brings valuable versatility to the table for the Sabres. He's topped 50 points in back-to-back seasons, has provided meaningful contributions in all three phases (even strength, power play and penalty kill) and he's in the 99th percentile of skating bursts, per NHL EDGE.
The 26-year-old Canadian also has a strong history in the faceoff dot (52.3% last season), but he's struggled in that area this year (47.6%). He's been better in recent games (56.6% over the last four contests), and Buffalo hopes that'll carry into the postseason.
McLeod has also found a comfort zone alongside Jack Quinn and Jason Zucker, one of the NHL's most effective lines since the Olympic break.
The trio has played 438 5-on-5 minutes together this season. The Sabres have outscored opponents 29-18 in those minutes while producing 52.1% of the expected goals and 56.4% of the scoring chances, according to Natural Stat Trick.
Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin are terrific players. Dahlin's tremendous finish to the campaign has pushed him toward the Hart Trophy and Norris Trophy conversations. The Sabres don't have that singular offensive force who can single-handedly overwhelm an opponent like McDavid, Nikita Kucherov or Nathan MacKinnon, though. It's a team effort in every sense.
That's why players like McLeod are essential to the club's playoff success. His line with Quinn and Zucker will have to come up with some clutch goals if Buffalo is going to embark on a deep run.
The 6-foot-3 forward is also one of the few Sabres with prior playoff experience, skating in 56 postseason games during his time in Edmonton. It should help him acclimate to the high-pressure environment quickly.
All told, McLeod has been a indispensable part of Buffalo's turnaround, and he has the potential to become a hero in Western New York in the weeks ahead.