Ryan McLeod

Ryan McLeod

26-Year-Old CenterC
Buffalo Sabres
2025 Fantasy Outlook
The 2024-25 season was a true breakout campaign for McLeod, as he posted a career-high 53 points in 79 games, including racking up 35 points over his final 38 games. The 25-year-old possesses elite wheels and puck skills, which make him a menace on the penalty kill and a coach's dream in the two-way transition game. That defensive role may, unfortunately, limit his power-play exposure, but don't overlook the upside. Even with some regression from last year's likely unsustainable 20.6 shooting percentage, McLeod is firmly in the mix for another 20-plus goal season. If he builds on last year's second-half surge, a jump into the 60-point tier isn't out of the question. Read Past Outlooks
Signed a four-year, $20 million contract with the Sabres in July of 2025.
Pair of helpers Sunday
CBuffalo Sabres
November 23, 2025
McLeod distributed two assists and blocked two shots in Sunday's 4-1 win over Carolina.
ANALYSIS
McLeod had the primary helper on each of the Sabres' first two goals, scored by Alex Tuch and Jack Quinn. With the pair of apples, McLeod is up to eight assists, 13 points and 31 shots on net through 22 games this season. After an up-and-down start to the season, the 26-year-old center is on the rise again with back-to-back multi-point performances. He's been a strong developing option for the Sabres over the past two seasons and is on track to challenge last season's career high of 53 points. With both Josh Norris (upper body) and Jiri Kulich (ear) on injured reserve, McLeod should continue to skate top-six minutes for the Sabres, which gives him decent fantasy value in deep leagues.
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NHL Stats
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2025 NHL Game Log
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2025 NHL Game Log
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2024 NHL Game Log
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2022 NHL Game Log
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2025–26 Time On Ice Stats
  • Average Time On Ice:
    17:44
  • Average Power Play TOI:
    1:24
  • Average Short-Handed TOI:
    2:37
 
Ice Time
Power Play
Short-Handed
2023–24
14:15
0:32
1:14
2024–25
16:50
0:29
2:19
2025–26
17:44
1:24
2:37
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Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Ryan McLeod See More
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2024
2023
2022
McLeod set career highs in 2023-24 with 12 goals and 30 points in 81 regular-season contests with Edmonton. He's developed into a solid bottom-six forward, but Edmonton's tight cap situation led to the Oilers trading him and the final year of his two-year, $4.2 million contract to Buffalo over the summer. McLeod is likely to serve as the Sabres' third-line center and might occasionally appear on the second power-play unit. It's not a glamorous role, but the 24-year-old (25 on Sept. 21) should do well in it while providing 30-40 points.
McLeod solidified his place as the Oilers' third-line center last season, though he also saw occasional opportunities in the top six. The 23-year-old had 23 points, 78 shots on goal and a plus-4 rating in 57 contests. He enters 2023-24 in line for a similar role, though with the Oilers' top-heavy offense, he may have a tough time producing much more than 40 points even if he takes a step forward on offense. He's likely to be limited to the second power-play unit, though he can also make an impact with his shorthanded play. There's enough upside to consider McLeod in deeper formats, but he's little more than a late-round dart throw.
McLeod was a real bright spot for the Oilers last season, posting nine goals and 21 points in 71 games despite playing the entire year at age 22. McLeod's greatest asset is his speed. He can wreak havoc on the forecheck and that helps him create scoring chances, even when playing in a bottom-six role. It's going to be difficult for McLeod to carve out fantasy value on an Edmonton team which relies so heavily on its top-two lines, but he's an ideal depth player given his youth and skill set.
More Fantasy News
Scores, assists Friday
CBuffalo Sabres
November 22, 2025
McLeod scored an even-strength goal and a power-play assist in Friday's 9-3 win over the Blackhawks.
ANALYSIS
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Nets shorthanded goal
CBuffalo Sabres
November 16, 2025
McLeod scored a shorthanded goal on two shots in Saturday's 5-4 overtime win over the Red Wings.
ANALYSIS
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Produces goal Tuesday
CBuffalo Sabres
October 29, 2025
McLeod scored a goal in Tuesday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Blue Jackets.
ANALYSIS
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Distributes two helpers
CBuffalo Sabres
October 22, 2025
McLeod notched two assists and two blocked shots in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Red Wings.
ANALYSIS
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Lights lamp twice in win
CBuffalo Sabres
October 16, 2025
McLeod scored two goals, one shorthanded, in Wednesday's 8-4 win over the Senators.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Wants to remain a Sabre
CBuffalo Sabres
April 18, 2025
McLeod, who is slated to become an RFA at the end of the season, wants to remain in Buffalo, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reports Friday.
ANALYSIS
The 25-year-old had a career year, setting highs in goals with 20 and assists with 33. The center averaged 16:50 of ice time over 79 games this season, 2:35 more than his previous best set in 2023-24.
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