Ryan O'Reilly: Dealt To Buffalo On Friday

O'Reilly was traded to Buffalo on Friday along with forward Jamie McGinn in exchange for defenseman Nikita Zadorov, forward Mikhail Grigorenko, prospect J.T. Compher, and the 31st overall pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, TSN's Darren Dreger reports.

Analysis:

O'Reilly has one year remaining on a two-year, $12 million contract that he signed with Colorado last summer. Colorado GM Joe Sakic was hesitant to extend O'Reilly at the money he was looking for, so he shipped the forward off to Buffalo, who presumably believe they can re-sign the two-way forward at the price he desires. The Sabres are still in a rebuilding phase, but with O'Reilly, the recently drafted Jack Eichel, the up-and-coming Zemgus Girgensons, and prospect Sam Reinhart down the middle, the team is definitely trending in the right direction. O'Reilly had 55 points last season in Colorado, and even though he's going to a weaker team, he's almost certain to have a bigger role on the Sabres. His fantasy value figures to remain about the same.