Thread Look Back: Ryan Oreilly trade

[trapezeus]

as Part of my attempt to create only Thread look back threads to be pulled in later years, i figured this trade is a crucial trade on whether the sabres take off or struggle.

This thread is supposed to be fun because once we have data after 1, 2 or 3 years, we'll see who monday morning qb'd the trade. "i was against it from day one." "it was the best trade and there is no way it blows up in our faces."

Anyways, here are the questions, and please vote.

1. Were you in favor of the trade
2. do you think Grigs is ever going to get it?
3. Zads, do you think he'll get it, and do you think his issues were beyond missing a few practices?

My answers: I am in favor of the trade. the sabres have a lot of prospects and i think Zads issues were more than missed practices. From one person who i know that knows players on the sabres, there were a couple veterans who were perplexed by Zads. He could shake it off and be very good. But i think the sabres defense has depth. And to get a real centerman who can take pressure off eichel to be a star immediately is worth it.

Grigs i think is a lost case. even if he goes on to shine with Patrick Roy, i think roy is the only one who is able to get to him. It wasn't going to go on for him in Buffalo.

the only guy i worried about was TJ compher. i think he might be someone special.

I note the contract that ROR signed. it's huge and he literally has to be productive from the start. that's a risk. but it's also a risk to find out that all the prospects aren't developing together. It was the right move at the time. barring injury of RoR (or more drinking and driving incidents), he will go on to be a great addition that this team sorely needed. We needed the goals and we needed a proven C.

[ICRockets]

I think Grigo turns out to be a bust in the NHL, but I think at least one of Zadorov/Compher will impress enough that we'll wish we could have kept them. But ultimately I don't think giving them up will hurt, because ROR is going to be a leader in the locker room for the next decade.

[JATMtheJATM]

Grigo is up in the air. He actually looked like an NHLer down the stretch and looked like the light was coming on. Zad, big, can skate, physical, great skill... hate that we had to move him, especially for a player that plays a position the sabres are already strong at. But oreilly will be a solid pick up.

- - - Updated - - -

Grigo is up in the air. He actually looked like an NHLer down the stretch and looked like the light was coming on. Zad, big, can skate, physical, great skill... hate that we had to move him, especially for a player that plays a position the sabres are already strong at. But oreilly will be a solid pick up.

[coastal]

zads is the minion in jamjam's sig

[JATMtheJATM]

zads is the minion in jamjam's sig

You are the banana

[Ginger Vitis]

Wasn't a fan of this trade... Mostly because Oreilly is a center.... Would have preferred the Sabres try and get a winger or another defensemen for the prospects they gave up.. And O Reilly should not been averaging 7.5 million per year it should be close to 6 million

I disagree with you on Compher I don't think he will be something special I think he tops out at best as a 3rd line Center... I think Zad eventually will be good defensemen a good No.3 defensemen

[casdhf]

We did get a pretty good wing in the deal, imo.

[The Jokeman]

At the time I saw it as the Sabres were giving away a potential top 2 D-man and possible top 6 forward and a strong 3rd line prospect and a valuable draft pick as the Avalanche ended up trading down and acquiring 3 more picks back.. What we got back was a 2nd line winger (I think a Drury comparison is fair) and a 3rd line winger (who might not be here after this season) At the time I wasn't overly pleased yet as time has gone on and I'm more willing to see that Grigorenko might not ever live up to his hype and it makes it a littler easier to digest but we still gave up a lot of potential.


Yet thus far it's Sabres acquired:
Ryan O'Reilly
Jamie McGinn

for
Nikita Zadorov
Mikhail Grigorenko
J.T. Compher
Anthony-John (AJ) Greer
2nd Rounder in 2016
6th Rounder in 2017

[JATMtheJATM]

At the time I saw it as the Sabres were giving away a potential top 2 D-man and possible top 6 forward and a strong 3rd line prospect and a valuable draft pick as the Avalanche ended up trading down and acquiring 3 more picks back.. What we got back was a 2nd line winger (I think a Drury comparison is fair) and a 3rd line winger (who might not be here after this season) At the time I wasn't overly pleased yet as time has gone on and I'm more willing to see that Grigorenko might not ever live up to his hype and it makes it a littler easier to digest but we still gave up a lot of potential.


Yet thus far it's Sabres acquired:
Ryan O'Reilly
Jamie McGinn

for
Nikita Zadorov
Mikhail Grigorenko
J.T. Compher
Anthony-John (AJ) Greer
2nd Rounder in 2016
6th Rounder in 2017

That's an awful lot. I hated seeing zad go. Guy is gonna be a good one. I was on board with the trade for a little while, and I like what oreilly will bring. But the sabres are still going to be out of the playoffs this year and gave up valuable defense. For a position we are already filled at.

I liked the idea of all our youth developing together at the same time and making the sabres a powerhouse. This doesn't change that much, as we still have oodles of youth, but zad a was an important piece.

[Skooby]

ROR is a leader that will end up willing this team to a victory.

[JATMtheJATM]

ROR is a leader that will end up willing this team to a victory.

I like ROR. I just hate parting with zad.

[Ingtar33]

as long as ROR stays relatively healthy (70+ games a season) and is a point per game player we will come out ahead on this one, and i won't complain about it.

[mightysimi]

as long as ROR stays relatively healthy (70+ games a season) and is a point per game player we will come out ahead on this one, and i won't complain about it.

Well seeing as he has never been a point per game player I don't think it is reasonable to expect that now.

[trapezeus]

he might not need to be a point per player. if the depth and talent pick up on offense. ROR just needs to be a productive player that spreads productivity to all parts of the ice. this helps make the lines 3 and 4 talented. and it won't be able individual players having to carry teams, it's that they are all equally productive and its hard to shut any one line down.

if he isn't scoring a ton, but lines 3 and 4 are because they are out skilling their matchups, he's can stil be a good payoff.

[mightysimi]

You do need guys that do what he does to win it all.

[IlluminatusUIUC]

He's doing his part to stop the irresponsible spread of Tim Horton's across the land.

[ICRockets]

He's doing his part to stop the irresponsible spread of Tim Horton's across the land.

If only we could trust Jack to do the same with Dunkin Donuts, but he's got a clear Boston bias that will get in the way of his solemn duty.