Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams added to the roster today. It was first reported by Elliotte Friedman that the Sabres acquired Ryan McLeod and Ty Tullio from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Matt Savoie. Buffalo fans were asking for a trade, they got one.
Looking at McLeod's stats, he scored 12 goals and recorded 18 assists in 81 games played last season. During the Oilers' postseason run, the forward scored four goals. As for Ty Tullio, he spent this past season in the AHL as he scored nine goals and registered 12 assists in 54 games played for the Bakersfield Condors.
Savoie had an exceptional year in the WHL with the Wenatchee Wild and Moose Jaw Warriors. Combing his stats with the two teams, Matt registered 30 goals, 41 assists and 71 points in 34 games played. Basically, the Sabres got their third line center and a prospect for arguably their best prospect in Savoie.
As for my thoughts on the trade, I'm not going to jump to any conclusions. In sports nowadays, you cannot make an assumption right away. Things have to play out, that is the mindset I have on this trade. I'm not going to tell fans what they should do, but as for me, let's see how things play out.
It's understandable why fans are upset with Savoie going to Edmonton, he was one of the Sabres top prospects. Here is why fans should look past that. First off, Buffalo got their third-line center. With Tage Thompson and Dylan Cozens in the fold, Adams did say he wanted one in the offseason.
While it costed them a young and promising prospect in Savoie, McLeod wins faceoffs. Last season, he won 50.8% of the draws he took. Ryan is also 24 years old and has an upside. Only time will tell, but personally, I'm fine with the trade.