General manager Kyle Dubas made a big move Friday night when he got his hands on St. Louis Blues center Ryan O’Reilly.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have also acquired veteran Noel Acciari. In return, the Missouri squad gets forwards Mikhail Abramov and Adam Gaudette, first- and third-round picks in 2023 as well as a second-round selection in 2024.
The Minnesota Wild also participated in the transaction by withholding 25% of O’Reilly’s $7.5 million salary. The Leafs traded a 2025 fourth-round pick as compensation, but also received Western Hockey League forward Josh Pillar from the Wild.
The Blues will absorb half of the salary of their ex-captain, who will reach full autonomy at the end of the season.
A former recipient of the Lady-Byng, Conn-Smythe and Frank-Selke Trophies, O’Reilly has spent the past five seasons in a Blues uniform. However, he has experienced a dizzying drop in production this season, he who was limited to 19 points in 40 games.
In career, the 32-year-old Ontarian has amassed 252 goals and 691 points in 978 games, also wearing the colors of the Colorado Avalanche and the Buffalo Sabres.
As for him, Acciari will bring depth to the Leafs’ support units. He scored 10 goals and 18 points in 54 games in 2022-23.
Abramov and Gaudette spent the entire season with the Toronto Marlies of the American League.