Colorado trades Ryan O’Reilly to Buffalo; Zadorov and More in Return

MD

2015-06-26

USATSI 8506529 154511096 lowres

Ryan O’Reilly is traded to Buffalo with Zadorov, Grigorenko+ going to Colorado

In some very unsurprising news, Colorado Avalanche forward Ryan O'Reilly has finally been traded. After Carl Soderberg was signed this morning by the team, it seemed to be all but a done deal. This deal finally happened, as Buffalo jumped in and acquired O'Reilly and forward Jamie McGinn for defenceman Nikita Zadorov, forward Mikhail Grigorenko, forward JT Compher, and a second round pick in this year's draft. I mused that might be a good landing spot for O'Reilly in this morning's Ramblings, though I was less keen when I saw Legwand get traded there earlier today. Obviously different players, but it just seemed less likely.

O'Reilly provides some protection for Jack Eichel moving forward. He's a guy who can play the top minutes for the Sabres until Eichel is ready to take over. All of my thoughts about O'Reilly are in that Ramblings, and have nothing more to add to him personally there.

Grigorenko's days seemed numbered for a while now, so the change of scenery here is the best thing for him. He goes from one hard coach (Ted Nolan) to another coach cut from the same cloth (Patrick Roy). How he responds to a coach that's similar in style is an open question. The talent is there.

Zadorov seemed to grow last year, and it gives Colorado a piece on the back end that can grow with this team. He's just 20-years-old next year and seemed to improve as the season progressed last year. As far as d-men go in Colorado, Tyson Barrie will still command a lot of ice time. Zadorov is probably still a year away from serious fantasy impact.

This seems to be a good trade for both sides. O'Reilly fills a need for the Sabres, and McGinn gives them depth. Colorado gets a decent haul for a player they probably couldn't sign.

UPCOMING GAMES

Oct 22 - 18:10	PHI	vs	WSH
Oct 22 - 18:10	FLA	vs	MIN
Oct 22 - 18:10	N.J	vs	T.B
Oct 22 - 19:10	BUF	vs	DAL
Oct 22 - 19:10	MTL	vs	NYR
Oct 22 - 19:10	CBJ	vs	TOR
Oct 22 - 19:10	NYI	vs	DET
Oct 22 - 20:10	STL	vs	WPG
Oct 22 - 20:10	CHI	vs	VAN
Oct 22 - 20:10	SEA	vs	COL
Oct 22 - 20:10	NSH	vs	BOS
Oct 22 - 21:10	EDM	vs	CAR
Oct 22 - 21:10	UTA	vs	OTT
Oct 22 - 21:10	CGY	vs	PIT
Oct 22 - 22:10	ANA	vs	S.J
Oct 22 - 23:10	VGK	vs	L.A