Revisiting the Blues' Trade for Ryan O'Reilly

The St. Louis Blues acquired Ryan O’Reilly from the Buffalo Sabres in a major NHL trade that made a significant impact on both teams. This deal played a key role in the Blues’ eventual Stanley Cup victory.

Details of the Trade

The trade sent Ryan O'Reilly to St. Louis in exchange for:

Patrik Berglund
Vladimir Sobotka
Tage Thompson
A first-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft
A second-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft

At first glance, the exchange appeared heavily in favor of St. Louis. However, over six years later, the deal’s value has many layers that benefit both sides.

Background on Ryan O'Reilly

O’Reilly was selected 33rd overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft and quickly became a well-liked player. Concerns about his future salary led to his trade to Buffalo, where he was exchanged for Nikita Zadorov, Mikhail Grigorenko, and J.T. Compher (31st pick in 2015).

During three seasons with the Sabres, O’Reilly played 224 games, scoring 65 goals and totaling 176 points. Though he never fell below 60 points in a season, Buffalo’s 93-118-35 record during that time diminished his 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."

Ongoing Debate on the Trade’s Outcome

The trade remains a topic of debate among fans and analysts. Each side believes it gained more based on shifting team success, player development, and draft picks.

Understanding the trade fully requires recognizing the different perspectives and motivations that shaped it on both ends.

Author's summary: The Ryan O'Reilly trade reshaped two franchises with lasting effects, highlighting how complex trades can influence team fortunes differently over time.

The Hockey Writers — 2025-11-02