Fantasy hockey trade reaction: Ryan O’Reilly to the Maple Leafs

No question, the Toronto Maple Leafs are comprehensively a stronger team Saturday than they were only hours earlier. By acquiring Ryan O’Reilly from the Blues – in a deal that also includes NHL forward Noel Acciari – the Leafs inherit a natural leader, passionate competitor, experienced Cup-winner, accomplished faceoff performer, effective penalty killer, and one of the best two-way centers in the game. All good things. Nevertheless, how excited (or not) should the 32-year-old’s fantasy managers feel? It largely depends on how O’Reilly fits into Toronto’s lineup. As ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski outlines in his latest Trade Grade, the former Blues captain is experiencing an uncharacteristically lackluster campaign to date.

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“… Offensively, O’Reilly’s 19 points in 40 games is uncharacteristically low, giving him a 1.5 points per 60 minutes average for a player that hasn’t been under 2.0 points per 60 since 2010-11. O’Reilly’s assists per 60 minutes (0.6) dropped dramatically from last season (1.5). It’s not that O’Reilly isn’t trying to create; it’s that he didn’t have a player like David Perron to convert those chances after he left for Detroit as a free agent. Again, going from the 18th best offensive team in the NHL to the eighth best should help. …”

It will. But to what degree depends on whether the Conn Smythe winner (2019) ends up centering the Leafs’ third line or falls in within the top-six on the wing alongside John Tavares and Mitch Marner. As a fantasy asset, he sports greater value in the former position than the latter. However, those running the Leafs, from up above and at ice-level, don’t care about your fantasy team or mine. Frankly, strengthening the team down the middle by sticking O’Reilly at center on the third line might prove the more holistic improvement for a team that desperately needs to win a playoff round. We’ll see.

That being said, I’m still picking up the versatile forward – who remains available in 53% of ESPN.com leagues – in deeper fantasy competition. Nearly a point/game player just two years ago, he’s going to score, whether it’s from the third line flanked by the likes of Calle Jarnkrok and Pierre Engvall, or on the power play, or – ideally with a fantasy view – in turns on the wing aside Tavares. O’Reilly is also going to win faceoffs, play heavy minutes, and score the odd short-handed point. Healthy, he’s worth a roll of the fantasy dice with one of the league’s more productive sides.

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