The Edmonton Oilers are trading forward Ryan McLeod and Ty Tullio to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Matt Savoie, the teams announced Friday.
McLeod, 24, was a second-round selection for the Oilers at the 2018 NHL Draft and has played for the club since the 2020-21 season.
In 2023-24, the centreman recorded career-highs in games-played (82), goals (12), assists (18) and points (30). During the Oilers’ run to the Stanley Cup Final, McLeod scored four goals in 24 games. He is entering the final year of a two-year, $4.2 million contract.
Savoie, 20, was selected ninth-overall by the Sabres at the 2023 NHL Draft. Though he made his big-league debut last season, the centre spent the majority of the year playing in the WHL — first, for the Wenatchee Wild, then the Moose Jaw Warriors, where he made an appearance at the Memorial Cup as WHL champion.
Savoie had 71 points in 34 games (30 G, 41 A) in 2023-24 between the Wild and Warriors.
Tullio, 22, was taken in the fifth round of the 2020 NHL Draft by the Oilers, but has yet to suit up in an NHL game. For the Bakersfield Condors, the Oilers’ AHL affiliate, the right winger scored nine goals and 21 points in 54 games.