BUFFALO, N.Y. — Still stung by the Blues missing the playoffs for the first time in six seasons, general manager Doug Armstrong capped a major roster overhaul on the first day of the NHL’s free-agency period by acquiring center Ryan O’Reilly in multiplayer trade with the Buffalo Sabres.
Aside from landing a nine-year veteran in O’Reilly on Sunday, St. Louis committed $31 million in salary to sign forwards David Perron and center Tyler Bozak to multiyear contracts.
“Once you miss the playoffs, change has to happen,” Armstrong said. “We’re a non-playoff team for the first time in a number of years and it doesn’t sit well with the St.