The Edmonton Oilers have traded Ryan McLeod and Tyler Tullio to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Matt Savoie.
Ryan McLeod, a 24-year-old winger, found himself caught up in two “numbers games,” leading to the trade. The Oilers needed to cut salary after a series of signings on July 1, which included Jeff Skinner, Viktor Arvidsson, Josh Brown, Mattias Janmark, Adam Henrique, Connor Brown, Corey Perry, and Troy Stecher, totaling $15.25 million. This pushed Edmonton $2.5 million over the salary cap, necessitating cuts. With McLeod in the final year of a $2.1 million contract, he was a clear candidate for a move.
Additionally, the Oilers have room for nine top forwards, and McLeod was not among them. The additions of Arvidsson and Skinner, along with the emergence of Henrique, Janmark, and Brown as a strong third line, made McLeod expendable.
Despite his skills in puck transportation and defensive responsibility, McLeod’s offensive output has plateaued at 10-12 goals per year, and he lacks the physical presence desired from a bottom-six forward.
Matt Savoie, a 20-year-old right-shot center from St. Albert, spent last year in the Western Hockey League with the Moose Jaw Warriors and Wenatchee Wild, recording 71 points in 34 games. He also had five points in six games in the AHL last year.
Tyler Tullio, a 22-year-old right winger drafted in the fifth round of the 2020 draft by the Oilers, has yet to play an NHL game. He scored nine goals and 21 points in 54 games with Bakersfield last year.
