The Edmonton Oilers have traded center Ryan McLeod and forward Tyler Tullio to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for highly regarded prospect Matt Savoie, a recent first-round pick by the Sabres who hails from St. Albert.
The trade has been widely praised, particularly for acting Oilers GM Jeff Jackson. NHL insider Frank Seravalli noted that the deal discussions began during the draft and continued thereafter. He remarked that while McLeod’s speed aligns well with Buffalo’s plans, some believe Savoie, an Edmonton native, might already match or surpass McLeod’s level.
Prospect expert Allan ‘Lowetide’ Mitchell highlighted that adding Savoie significantly enhances the Oilers’ prospect pool, suggesting the team is making smart acquisitions. Oilers insider Bob Stauffer described Savoie as a skilled right-shot forward who played a key role in Moose Jaw’s WHL Championship, now becoming the top prospect in the Oilers’ system. He expressed good wishes for McLeod’s future with the Sabres.
The Athletic’s Dom Luszczyszyn pointed out that McLeod is a valuable addition for the Sabres, offering depth and defensive capability in their middle-six forward group. Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis praised the Oilers for building a strong prospect pool through this trade, while Byron Bader found it intriguing that the Oilers traded for Savoie shortly after choosing not to qualify his brother, Carter Savoie.
YouTube commentator Steve “Dangle” Glynn was impressed with the Oilers’ acquisition, noting the value of securing a Top 10 pick from two years ago who continues to improve. NHL insider John Shannon added that the trade makes sense for both teams: the Sabres get an immediate contributor in McLeod, while the Oilers can continue developing their prospects.
The Cult of Hockey’s Bruce McCurdy recalled seeing Savoie as a standout at a tournament in St. Albert six and a half years ago, emphasizing his early talent and impressive performance compared to his peers.
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