Just wanted to chime in on my thoughts on the trade as I've enjoyed reading the opinions here.
My initial thoughts were holy f*** the Oilers just fleeced Buffalo. I still hold the belief the Oilers got a lot of value out of this trade, but I want to hash out my thoughts for both sides.
From Buffalo's perspective I think McLeod as a player makes sense for them if they really do have too many smaller skilled guys. I'm not familiar enough with your roster and which guys battle, embrace going into contact/dirty areas of the ice, and play physical, but those are the guys you'll want to surround McLeod with. He got a bit of that in Edmonton with Foegele who was one of his common line mates here and they had some good moments together. Anyways, lets start with good: Blazing fast, good motor, good puck transporter on the breakout, good defensive awareness, excellent stick checker and back checker through the neutral zone, elite penalty killer. Next we'll talk about the "ok": decent hands, decent passer, decent finisher. And then the bad: allergic to puck battles, taking a hit, or throwing a hit. Prone to own zone turn overs from time to time when breaking out. Rarely takes the puck to the net unless he's on a clean or partial breakaway, expect him to use his speed to enter the zone and then circle the perimeter with mixed results on making a good pass or turning over possession with nothing accomplished.
I think he'll be a good addition for you guys. I like him as a regular season 3C or middle 6 winger, but hate him as a 3C in the playoffs. Just doesn't engage in battles or contact enough to be a true shutdown centre when intensity ramps up because his intensity doesn't change. He can help you get to the dance, but I don't think he can help you win there. Has had 3 extended playoff runs in Edmonton and hasn't yet found a way to up his intensity and battle which has always been the criticism of him dating back to when he was 16.
As for Savoie I love the pickup for Edmonton. Small, but excellent skillset. Feels like he'll have a chance to make the team out of camp if the Oilers decide to run McD-Drai-Nuge-Henrique down the middle with Henrique as their shutdown line with Brown and Janmark. Equally as good chance he starts in the AHL, but Edmonton could offer him a very sheltered role on a scoring 3rd line with Kane and Nuge. If Kane is injured to start the year the likelihood of him making the team might be higher. I believe Edmonton envisions him as Skinner's replacement next year when he probably prices himself out of Edmonton giving them 2 ELC years of hopefully a top 6 winger.
Overall I think the Oilers win this on value, but I think it could be a positive for both sides and I hope McLeod can help you guys back into the playoffs. If that happens I don't think anyone will care if Savoie is succeeding in Edmonton.