Ryan O’Reilly played his first game for the Toronto Maple Leafs on February 18 against the Montreal Canadiens at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. Claus Andersen/Getty Images
Ryan O’Reilly and Noel Acciari, who were traded from St. Louis to the Maple Leafs late the night before, arrived at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday afternoon.
They soon made their debut for Toronto and played their part in the 5-1 victory over the Canadians.
O’Reilly went 12-2 into faceoffs and added an assist while Acciari had five shots at the net and scored five that led the team.
“I catch myself every few hours,” O’Reilly said afterwards. “I can’t believe everything that happened. It was just a whirlwind. I’m still shocked to be here.”
With O’Reilly, the Maple Leafs brought in the most desirable player available before the March 3 NHL trade deadline. The trade has the potential to become one of the most important in the team’s 105 years.
The 32-year-old center has won a Stanley Cup, the Conn Smythe Trophy, a Selke Award and the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy. A top defensive player, he rarely gets punished and was the Blues’ captain when they won their first NHL championship in 2019.
He and Acciari could have traveled from St. Louis to Chicago, where Toronto played Sunday night, but instead opted to join their new teammates as soon as possible.
“It’s a bit like walking into cold water,” O’Reilly said. “It’s better to just jump in headfirst than tiptoe in. It’s just better to come here and play.”
On Sunday night in the Leafs’ 5-3 loss to Chicago, Acciari scored his first goal as a Leaf, his 11th of the season, 2-14 in the second period.
O’Reilly is from Ontario and his parents and wife are from Toronto. This is his 14th season in the NHL and he has scored 20 or more goals seven times. He has also featured in 64 postseason games in which he has 22 goals and 34 assists. He scored eight goals and had 15 assists in 26 games during the Blues’ run to the Stanley Cup.
“His pedigree speaks for itself,” General Manager Kyle Dubas said Saturday. “His defensive strength, his performance in the playoffs, what he brings to middle position and what he will bring to our team on and off the ice is critical to what we want to achieve.”
Along with O’Reilly, the Maple Leafs acquired a strong forward in Acciari without giving up anyone from their NHL roster. It cost her two AHL players and one in the WHL, as well as first-, second-, third-, and fourth-round draft picks.
Additionally, St. Louis agreed to pay half of O’Reilly’s $7.5 million contract for that year, and Minnesota, an agent on the deal, agreed to pay $1.875 million to pay.
One thing to note: It’s a bit of a gamble because O’Reilly and Acciari will be unrestricted free agents by the end of the season.
Acciari, 31, has been in the NHL for eight years and scored a career-best 20 goals for the Florida Panthers in 2019-20.
Toronto believes they bring the experience and depth needed to help the team win its first round of the playoffs since 2005 — and possibly more.
“We were in the top 5 overall [in recent years] and when you get there, your goal has to be to win the Stanley Cup,” Dubas said. “People will scoff and that’s fine, but we’re trying to win. Anything else and we will be disappointed.”
“Today there was excitement in the dressing room as we got two guys who will help our team,” said Michael Bunting, who scored twice in the win over Montreal, afterwards.
Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe was driving home from his son’s hockey practice on Friday night when he heard about the trade.
“I wasn’t expecting a deal in any way,” Keefe said Saturday a few hours before the puck fell. “It was exciting. To be honest, it was hard to sleep. As a coach, I’ve thought about all the different options it offers. I think I’m like all players. They’re excited to be able to make the team better .”
Keefe later commented that they “came as advertised. They are two experienced players, very experienced and accomplished, and pass immediately.”
On Saturday, O’Reilly centered a line that featured John Tavares on the left wing and Mitch Marner on the right wing. O’Reilly almost scored on his first shot.
“This is exciting for our team and undoubtedly our fan base,” said Tavares, the Maple Leafs captain. “As Kyle [Dubas] and management make such a move, it sends a strong message about their belief in the team and what we want to achieve.”
Toronto defense attorney Morgan Rielly said: “[the trade] is a move that we as players look at and that somehow puts everything into perspective. The organization believes in the team and in where we are trying to go. We’ve gotten better and that’s a great feeling.”
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