Arguably the largest domino to fall in regards to trades has fallen as Ryan O’Reilly has been traded to the Buffalo Sabres from the Colorado Avalanche.
Going back to the Avalanche in the deal are defenseman Nikita Zadorov, Mikhail Grigorenko, JT Compher and the 31st overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft. Also going to the Sabres is Jamie McGinn.
O’Reilly has been linked to the Sabres for the better part of two years, ever since Tim Murray took over as Buffalo general manager in early 2014.
With O’Reilly in the mix, the Sabres boast a top six that will likely include O’Reilly, Jack Eichel, Evander Kane, Tyler Ennis, Matt Moulson and Sam Reinhart. The 24-year old forward is in the final year of a two-year, $6-million contract with the Avalanche, and will be looking to get at least that much with his next contract.
It’s expected that the Sabres will look to extend the Clinton, Ontario native almost immediately, avoiding him potentially hitting the unrestricted free agent market at the end of next season.
Be sure to stick with The Hockey Writers for full coverage of the 2015 NHL Draft, including our live draft tracker as well as our deal tracker.
What do you think about the deal to bring O’Reilly to the Sabres? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.
More to come…
