Revisiting the Blues' Trade for Ryan O'Reilly

The St. Louis Blues acquired Ryan O'Reilly from the Buffalo Sabres in a trade that sent shockwaves through the NHL. The deal involved sending O'Reilly to St. Louis in exchange for Patrik Berglund, Vladimir Sobotka, Tage Thompson, a first-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, and a second-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.

At first glance, the trade appeared heavily in favor of the Blues. However, more than six years later, its impact is more complex and less one-sided than initially thought. Multiple factors continue to influence how fans and analysts view the trade.

Background and Perspectives

To fully grasp the differing views from both fan bases, it’s important to consider the context for each team.

Ryan O'Reilly's Career before the Trade

O'Reilly was selected 33rd overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Colorado Avalanche.
He quickly became a fan favorite in Colorado.
Concerns over long-term salary costs led to his trade to Buffalo in 2015 in exchange for defenseman Nikita Zadorov, and forwards Mikhail Grigorenko and J.T. Compher, who was the 31st pick in the 2015 NHL Draft.
During three seasons with the Sabres, O'Reilly played 224 games, scoring 65 goals and 176 points.
He consistently scored at least 60 points per season despite the team's struggles.
The Sabres’ overall record during his time was 93-118-35, which diminished O'Reilly's enthusiasm for the game.

"Though he never produced less than 60 points in a single season, a collective record of 93-118-35 over his three seasons in Buffalo left the 27-year-old O’Reilly with a loss of love for the game."

The Trade's Long-Term Impact

The trade played a key role in the Blues' eventual Stanley Cup victory, even if the immediate benefits appeared skewed. Over time, the contributions from both sides’ assets have kept debates alive on which team truly gained more.

The complexity and multiple moving parts in this trade highlight the challenges in assessing player trades in the NHL just by initial impressions.

Summary: The Ryan O'Reilly trade, initially seen as a major win for the Blues, revealed a more balanced outcome over time, reflecting various strategic gains for both teams involved.

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The Hockey Writers — 2025-11-02