Three things Toronto Maple Leafs fans can expect after trading for Ryan O'Reilly

The Toronto Maple Leafs went to the NHL trade block and brought back a gargantuan deal. This is the deal that Leafs fans have been looking for in playoff runs in years past. The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired Ryan O’Reilly and Noel Accari from the St. Louis Blues (along with a prospect in Josh Pillar from the Wild) for a first-round pick, a second, a third, a fourth, and two prospects.

It’s the type of trade that looks underwhelming at first, but when O’Reilly’s game is broken-down, it looks more and more appealing for the Leafs.

Let’s take a look at three things Toronto Maple Leafs fans can expect after trading for Ryan O’Reilly

1- Instant offense

Ryan O’Reilly is off to his worst statistical season in years for a lackluster Blues team. Ryan O’Reilly can return to form, and the Toronto Maple Leafs provide the perfect opportunity. O’Reilly will likely fill in on the second line at wing, allowing O’Reilly to shift his whole focus to scoring goals rather than being more defensively responsible.

O’Reilly is an elite set-up man. He’ll now be paired up with John Tavares and Mitch Marner, two elite finishers. Ryan O’Reilly is the perfect offensive puzzle piece for the Toronto Maple Leafs system this season. He should be able to take advantage of defenses across the league.

2- The line setup

Bunting-Matthews-Nylander on the first line, O’Reilly, John Taveras, and Mitch Marner on the second line. That top six is already one of, if not the best, top six in the entire league.

An even more exciting prospect for Leafs fans should be where O’Reilly fits in on the power play and in the locker room. O’Reilly can easily fit in as the center on the Leafs' second power play. As for leadership, O’Reilly is well-renowned for his locker room ability in St. Louis. He won’t be relied upon to be that type of player, but having someone that has been to the cup final and won it is huge for the Leafs.

3- Patrick Kane staying in Chicago?

All the talk the last two weeks has been Patrick Kane’s interest in two potential destinations: Toronto and New York. With Vladimir Tarasenko being sent to the Big Apple and O’Reilly being sent to Toronto, where is the room in either franchise for Kane to fit in?

Patrick Kane may need to create a new list of teams that he intends to go to because it looks like neither New York or Toronto will have room for him in the lineup or his massive contract. We could see Vegas, Minnesota, and New Jersey pop up again as possible contenders for Kane’s services.