General manager Kyle Dubas made a big move Friday night by getting his hands on center Ryan O’Reilly.
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The Toronto Maple Leafs also acquired veteran Noel Acciari from the St. Louis Blues. In exchange, the Missouri roster will get forwards Mikhail Abramov and Adam Gaudette, first- and third-round picks in 2023, and a second-round pick 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 fourth-round pick in 2025 in compensation but also received Western Hockey League forward Josh Pillar from the Wild.
The Blues will take on half their ex-captain’s salary, 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 last five seasons in a blues uniform. However, he has experienced a dizzying drop in production this season, limited to 19 points in 40 games.
During his career, the 32-year-old Ontarian has 252 goals and 691 points in 978 games while also sporting the colors of the Colorado Avalanche and Buffalo Sabers.
As for him, Acciari will add more 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.