Sabres acquire center O'Reilly from Avalanche

SUNRISE, Fla. -- The Buffalo Sabres acquired center Ryan O'Reilly in a trade with the Colorado Avalanche on Friday.

The Sabres sent defenseman Nikita Zadorov, forwards Mikhail Grigorenko and J.T. Compher, and the No. 31 pick in the 2015 NHL Draft to the Avalanche in the trade for O'Reilly and forward Jamie McGinn.

O'Reilly, 24, has one year remaining on his contract that carries a $6.0 million salary-cap charge, according to War-on-Ice.com. He can become an unrestricted free agent after the 2015-16 season. The Sabres can sign him to a contract extension beginning on July 1.

McGinn is also signed through the 2015-16 season with a cap charge of $2.95 million.

O'Reilly adds to Buffalo’s center depth that includes Sam Reinhart and Jack Eichel. Buffalo selected Reinhart with the No. 2 pick in the 2014 NHL Draft and Eichel with the No. 2 pick in the 2015 draft on Friday.

O'Reilly had 38 assists and 55 points in 82 games this past season. He had a career-high 64 points in 80 games last season, when he won the Lady Byng Trophy. He has 246 points in 447 career games in the NHL, all with Colorado.

Buffalo also acquired goalie Robin Lehner and center David Legwand from the Ottawa Senators on Friday in a trade for the No. 21 pick in the 2015 draft.

The Avalanche, who had a need on defense, get help there with the 6-foot-5, 220-pound Zadorov, who has 16 points in 67 career NHL games, all with Buffalo, including 15 in 60 games this past season. He was the No. 16 pick in the 2013 draft.

Grigorenko, who was the 12th pick in the 2012 draft, has 14 points in 68 games in his career, all with Buffalo. He had 36 points in 43 games with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League this past season.

Compher, who was the No. 35 pick in the 2013 draft, recently completed his sophomore season at the University of Michigan. He had 24 points in 34 games, including eight goals and 10 points in his final eight games. He had 31 points in 35 games as a freshman.

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