The Toronto Maple Leafs announced here on Friday Night they have acquired Ryan O’Reilly and Noel Acciari from the St. Louis Blues and Minnesota Wild as part of a three-team deal.
We have acquired Ryan O’Reilly & Noel Acciari in a three-team trade with St. Louis & Minnesota.
STL receives Mikhail Abramov & Adam Gaudette, TOR’s 1st round pick in ’23, OTT’s 3rd round pick in ’23 & TOR’s 2nd round pick in ’24. MIN receives TOR’s 4th round pick in ’25. pic.twitter.com/QAOUZvUZfH— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 18, 2023
The Blues will receive Mikhail Abramov & Adam Gaudette along with Toronto’s first-round pick in 2023, a third-round pick in 2023, which the Leafs acquired from Ottawa along with a 2nd round pick in 2024 from the Leafs. The Wild will receive a fourth-round pick in 2025 from Toronto.
The extra drafts were sent in the deal because the Blues are going to retain 50 percent of O’Reilly’s salary while the Wild retain 25 percent of O’Reilly’s salary.
St. Louis will retain 50% and Minnesota will retain 25% of O’Reilly’s salary as part of the trade.
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 18, 2023
The Toronto Maple #LeafsForever acquired Ryan O’Reilly from St. Louis & Minnesota in a three way trade for 25% of his $7.5M cap hit
1. St. Louis retained 50% ($3.75M)
2. Minnesota retained 50% of the $3.75M ($1.875M)
3. O’Rielly becomes a #LeafsForever with a cap hit of $1.875M— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) February 18, 2023
In addition, Toronto will receive Josh Pillar from Minnesota as part of the trade.
The Maple Leafs have been rumoured for a long time to be connected to Ryan O’Reilly. General manager Kyle Dubas was looking to add at the deadline. He did not want to give up a first-round pick this year, but in order to acquire O’Reilly it had to be done.
Though O’Reilly is having a down year, for his standards with 19 points (12 goals and seven assists), he is still one of the best two-way centers in the game and adds size and physicality along with a pedigree of winning.
O’Reilly won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2019 when the Blues won the Stanley Cup with 23 points (eight goals and 15 assists). This is exactly what the Maple Leafs needed for their bottom-six forward group.
Ryan O’Reilly has not been at his best this season, but he has a lengthy history of being one of the game’s best two-way centers. pic.twitter.com/Q44rdiGWvX
— dom 🕰️ (@domluszczyszyn) February 18, 2023
Kyle Dubas had to be creative when it came to making a trade, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Jake Muzzin on the backend. O’Reilly is the type of player the Maple Leafs need if they want to get out of the first round.
Not only is Kyle Dubas the most attractive general manager, he’s pretty smart too. Ryan O’Reilly won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2019 where he defeated the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup Final. pic.twitter.com/mhMUlea1JO
— Evolving-Hockey (@EvolvingHockey) February 18, 2023
One of the biggest areas of need for the Maple Leafs was in the bottom six, especially at center. O’Reilly knows what it takes to get it done in the playoffs, especially when facing adversity. He can generate offence in front of the net as well he is very responsible defensively.
Ryan O’Reilly (traded to Toronto) is a strong creator of offence, useful in front of goal, helps defensively. Very strong all-round. pic.twitter.com/tYLNcT1sTJ
— Micah Blake McCurdy (@IneffectiveMath) February 18, 2023
Ryan O’Reilly, acquired by TOR, is a top six two-way playmaking centre who typically has a very strong defensive impact. His production is down this year but he’s still creating chances at a high rate. Big statement for the Leafs. #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/hsQU5qzmGK
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) February 18, 2023
Noel Acciari is another excellent addition to the bottom six for the Maple Leafs. This season, Acciari has 18 points (10 goals and eight assists). He also has playoff experience as he was part of the Bruins Stanley Cup run in 2019 where they lost to the Blues.
The Blockbuster! The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired Ryan O’Reilly & Noel Acciari in a three-team trade with St. Louis & Minnesota. Ryan O’Reilly has not been at his best this season, but he still should be an effective addition for Toronto. Acciari is solid bottom-six winger. pic.twitter.com/D4kbGc2YHw
— Andy & Rono (@ARHockeyStats) February 18, 2023
Noel Acciari, acquired by TOR, is a capable and versatile bottom six two-way forward. Don’t expect a lot of offensive creativity from him. #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/oI4k9zdvbj
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) February 18, 2023
