This trade is Exhibit A
Exhibit B would be giving up a 2nd for Beck Malinstine
2 recent examples right there.
you want me to go they the laundry list of useless trades thr maple laughs have donr.
From an outsider's perspective:
1. Very poor asset management/negotiation skills from Kevyn Adams. A two-year-old 9th overall pick who is projecting well for a dime-a-dozen NHLer like McLeod that you can pick up in free agency is just bad, there's no way around it. Add to the fact that Edmonton had little leverage because of their cap situation and it's even worse. I understand trading Savoie, but McLeod is a strange target.
Maybe after the draft they realized he was injury prone and maybe he has some character issues.
For someone drafted in top 10 they usually are in the nhl by year 2 post draft. There may be a reason why.
2. Obviously Buffalo is putting high value on speed this offseason, so they targeted McLeod. He fills a need for them up front and still has some untapped offensive potential he could hit.
Maybe Ruff can mold him. Hes still young.
3. Savoie probably isn't valued as high league-wide as he is on here or amongst fans. He's an undersized guy already with some injury concerns. He likely ends up on wing and has boom or bust potential and a much higher ceiling than McLeod, albeit lower floor.
Overall I think Savoie is being overrated but it's still and inexcusable trade for Buffalo given the circumstances. He was one of Buffalo's better trade chips and I think they will regret not parlaying him into something better, even if it required more patience.
Buffalo valued other high picks more.
Thompson and cozens are signed for 6 more years. They have ELCs in benson, quinn, and Peterka. I see Tuch being resigned. That's 6 of your time 9 long term
Then they still have helenius, ostlund, kulich, Rosen, poltapov, Wahlberg as high prospects.
McLeod has 75pts in 219GP for the Oilers. I think he could be a top 6 forward if he hits his stride in Buffalo. He would be on the wing as he's not taking Thompsons or Cozens spot at center. If Buffalo does give him a shot in a top 6 role, I wouldn't be shocked to see him get an opportunity on Thompson's wing.
He's got good wheels, just not that high of an IQ offensively. His best asset is his ability to kill penalties very well.
D/PK 3C is what sabres wanted.
So what I want to know is, why do this trade anyway? Is there any underlying reason why Buffalo would agree to this?
Savoie is small, likely top 6 or bust. Injury prone. Probably has character issues
Another scenario is that Savoie is flipped at the TDL and has the value of a 1st round pick. McLeod wouldn't have that same TDL value
See what happens. Maybe he becomes a 20/50 3C in buffalo.