Those decisions aren't completely independent though. It wasn't like an unforeseen cap hit came in. They made the choice to prioritize signing bad vets over keeping McLeod.
Confirmed Trade: [BUF/EDM] Ryan McLeod and Tyler Tullio for Matt Savoie
- Thread starter MMC
- Start date
Those decisions aren't completely independent though. It wasn't like an unforeseen cap hit came in. They made the choice to prioritize signing bad vets over keeping McLeod.
Satanphonehome
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- Jan 4, 2015
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Huselius (06) AHL 30 points in 57 games
Benson (05) NHL 25 points in 65 games
Savoie (04) AHL 46 points in 57 games
Ostlund (04) AHL 33 points in 42 games
Kulich (04) NHL 21 points in 52 games
Rosen (03) AHL 54 points in 55 games
Who knows where these guys end up, but there's no reason to put Savoie solidly ahead of any of these other young Sabre forwards of a similar age battling for similar roles.
He certainly doesn't have the in-system competition any more and will probably get a better opportunity in a better environment.
The Sabres were smart to move at least one of these guys and it looks like they got better value in McLeod than many thought they did at the time.
Djp
Registered User
To add...
Savoie is a top 6 or bust tupr of player. I dont see him adjusting to a bottom 6 role.
If you look at what buffalo had at the time of the trade by draft year
After savoie they still have
20 peterka, quinn
22 Rosen, kozak, poltapiv?, Sardarian?
22 Kulich, Ostlund, neuchev? , Richard?
23 Benson, Wahlberg
24 Helenius, Zeimer
Some of these may be centers and some are traded.
In the top 9 buffalo had Thompson, Cozrns( now Norris), and Tuch ( expected to resign,) long term
That leaves 6 spots open and there are 10+ listed.
McLeod gets something like 5 yrs would then seal up another top 9 space for the next 4 years
TommyDangles
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He's behind expectations for someone of his draft/pedigree. You'd expect a top 10 pick from 3 years ago to be a full time NHLer by now.
Still think Oilers move him in the summer for a win now move. Seems like they were shopping him at the deadline in a potential Rantanen trade.
Someone just needs to let this kid play on a third line somewhere and get minutes. Sabres didn't even let him play in the NHL. He also got stuck in the WHL.
McLeod has been great. I fully expect to be disappointed in his goal scoring next year though.
Every Sabre fan should know that. But it doesn’t take away how good he has been this year, even if you realize he should only be about a 15 goal scorer.
If he can be a 15 goal, 45-60 point speedy two-way center, that is very valuable.
Djp
Registered User
I dissgree....
The issue was his mom waiting a few hrs to give birth on Jan 1 instead of dec 31.
If he was able to play in the AHL last year he could be nhl ready this yr.
It's very hard for players to make the CHL to nhl jump as s tern. The ones that aged out in yr 2 and can go to the A bave better luck.
Buffalo being a young team already makes it hard to have a tern play. More experienced teams can handle a 19 yr old on their team.
Why do you say that? Hockey is weird where a player can fo well in some places, but not others.
If he is used in a 1st or 3bd line tolr us numbers likely higher.
How many of his points came from breakaways, 2-on'1s , and ENs? Compare that to yrs before? Ih a he shooting more from high danger areas than in prior yrs?
Dubi Doo
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- Aug 27, 2008
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Well, his two-way play, speed, and transitional play are all sustainable. A rare time Sabres management actually obtained a player who plays his role well.
Monsieur Verdoux
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I love McLeod this season. Just expect around 12 goals a season from him.
Beerz
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- Jun 28, 2011
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Why would the Sabres let him play in the NHL when he clearly wasn't ready?
ManofSteel55
Registered User
I hope I'm wrong, but I do believe that if he goes to arbitration, McLeod will get a settlement that will be in line with what he produced this year, but he won't be able to repeat. Like I said, I hope I'm wrong, I like McLeod and want to see him succeed.
ManofSteel55
Registered User
He had NHL minutes. He didn't look out of place, but he also didn't look like he had the all around game a contender will want. I fully expect that he will be in our opening day top six next year if we don't move him for an immediate impact player over the summer though.
