Main Photo: Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Another one of the St. Louis Blues big fish is off the market. The team has traded centre and captain Ryan O’Reilly to the Toronto Maple Leafs, along with forward Noel Acciari. Like Vladimir Tarasenko was, he is a pending unrestricted free agent and can sign with anyone once the season ends. The Blues capitalize on their star talent, after already selling another star forward earlier this deadline. In the deal, they send to the Blues Mikhail Abramov and Adam Gaudette, along with Toronto’s 2023 first-round pick and 2024 fourth-round pick, as well as the Ottawa Senators‘ 2024 2nd round pick. In exchange for the Minnesota Wild retaining 25% of O’Reilly’s contract, they receive Toronto’s 2024 conditional fourth-round pick and send prospect Josh Pillar the other way.
Ryan O’Reilly Traded Away From Blues
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
Ryan O’Reilly has been traded away from the Blues. After spending the last five seasons with the team, they opted to move him for a sizeable return. The elite two-way centre has a new home. There is a lot to love for this team as O’Reilly comes in as a playoff performer and has a winning pedigree along with him. Great move as they push into the playoffs. However, he is returning from a broken foot and needs to get in the groove. But getting healthy just in time for the playoff run is a significant boost for himself and the team.
How This Trade Benefits His New Team
Ryan O’Reilly being traded benefits them in many ways. O’Reilly comes in as a Conn Smythe Winner (2019), a Stanley Cup Champion (2019), and Selke Trophy (2019). Over the course of his career, he has produced under 50 points just three times. Consistency has always been his thing, excelling on both ends of the ice. He is having one of his worst seasons to date. O’Reilly is also a very large minus in what is an underwhelming stat for him, but he is not the only one in the Blues. In addition, he has 915 takeaways in his career and led the league in that regard in his seasons with Colorado. O’Reilly is the perfect fit for this team as he forechecks hard and is reliable in all situations.
