Another day, another rumor out there for Ryan O’Reilly. GM Jason Botterill told the media that many of the rumors out there were very creative and that the validity of most of them aren’t true.
Still, it’s fun to discuss what potential returns the Sabres might get for O’Reilly, especially when free agency opens this Sunday at noon.
Here is the latest rumor between the St. Louis Blues and the Sabres:
- Ryan O’Reilly for Robert Thomas, Anton Andersson, 2019 1st round pick
#STLBlues, keep your pants on, but I’m hearing from an anonymous source that Ryan O’Reilly is done in Buffalo.
Blues and Canadiens in play. O’Reilly’s locker is cleaned up and scrubbed. He’s gone.
Possible package going to BUFF: Thomas, Anderson, 2019 first round pick.
— Dan Buffa (@buffa82) June 28, 2018
Robert Thomas has been playing in the OHL for the past few years with the London Knights and then the Hamilton Bulldogs. He played 49 games last year, scoring 75 points (24 goals,51 assists).
He was the Blues’ 1st round (20th overall pick) in 2017 and he’ll turn 19 on Monday.
This poll is all #Sabres fans need to see regarding Robert Thomas. 68% of Blues fans would rather have him than the #3 overall pick in this years draft which involved Zadina/Tkachuk. https://t.co/V9lX5CgUJO
— BuffaloHockeyCentral (@BHCdotcom) June 28, 2018
https://t.co/Jl3fou6QMq pic.twitter.com/yfvWPtVl6I
— Longtime Uruguay Supporter ?? (@Ben_Mathewson) June 28, 2018
the move maintains the center depth and you get another 1st. Potentially giving the Sabres 3 in the 2019 draft. Adds even more cap space. It would in a sense give Botterill all the freedom Murray had when he was given the job.
— Matt Kopnak (@MattKopnak) June 28, 2018
#stlblues 1st rounder Robert Thomas with a highlight reel goal: pic.twitter.com/w9kuzVpHhG
— Joey Palazzola (@Palazzola_RTN) October 21, 2017
Thomas is a young, solid prospect that offers a lot of potential. Many think he’d earn a spot as the third center by opening night. But right now, it’s all just potential.
So what about this other guy, Andersson?
He’s a big Swedish (yep, another Swede) defender that was drafted in the 7th round in 2017.
From @DobberProspects “Information on Andersson is relatively scarce. Andersson played 19 games for Lulea U-18 in 2016-17. Andersson had 9 goals and 12 assists. As far as seventh round picks go, there is every reason to take a gamble on a big, well-coached Swedish defenseman.
— BuffaloHockeyCentral (@BHCdotcom) June 28, 2018
Andersson’s biggest attribute is his size. He’s unlikely to be much help to Buffalo, but there is the off chance that he comes through and surprises everyone. That’s the reasoning behind him being a 7th round pick.
There was also chatter that Alexander Nylander and Vladimir Sobotka may be part of the deal, but we’ll have to wait and see.
At first glance of this rumor, it seems like it might not be enough for O’Reilly. Learning a little more about Thomas and how good he may become helps, but even with a 1st round pick in the deal, Botterill should hopefully get a little more in return.