F Sam O’Reilly - Kitchener Rangers, OHL (2024, 32nd, EDM, traded to TBL)

[57special]

There's lots of very good players that aren't great skaters. Mark Stone, Ryan O'Reilly, Hyman, Perry, Robertson, the Tkachuks, etc. As long as O'Reilly keeps up the grit, compete, defense, etc, it won't matter if he's a below average skater.

I'd add Lundell to that list. He was thought to be much worse skater than O'Reilly at the time of his draft, and looks just fine at the NHL level. I also don't see that O'Reilly's skating is a problem, at all.

 

[frontsfan67]

He's a weapon. Obvious succession candidate for Cirelli. Howard for this kid is going to age poorly.

Watched both cirelli and O’Reilly and yeah that’s a great comparison. From what I’ve seen in their OHL careers O’Reilly has been better but we will see how he does in the NHL

 

[seafoam]

Once you realize Howard was going to have a hard time translating to the pros, it became apparent EDM overpaid. Classic "Blowman"...

 

[atlanticobserver]

 

[LeProspector]

O’Reilly is incredible and has had an incredible season, but Cole Beaudoin should have won it.

 

[atlanticobserver]

O’Reilly is incredible and has had an incredible season, but Cole Beaudoin should have won it.

Yeah, I think if SOR started the year in Kitchener the statistical disparity wouldn't look so weird. Still, he had a great year. I really think he has a strong chance to make the lineup right away next season.

 

[Boreal01]

There was a sequence early in the 3rd where he moved in from behind the goal line and managed to retrieve the puck before turning quickly to get a shot off that just missed the net while Hrebik was down in his crease

He’s great at anticipating where the puck will be travelling, in either zone, you can really see him always looking 2-3 steps ahead

A shame we likely won’t get to see him and Beaudoin going head to head at all

 

[LeProspector]

Yeah, I think if SOR started the year in Kitchener the statistical disparity wouldn't look so weird. Still, he had a great year. I really think he has a strong chance to make the lineup right away next season.

100%, alas he didn’t and because of it we have the weakest Tilson winner in 20 years, since Brad Boyes in 2001/02 with 77 points in 47 games - a 1.64 P/pg.

 

[GoBoltz56]

100%, alas he didn’t and because of it we have the weakest Tilson winner in 20 years, since Brad Boyes in 2001/02 with 77 points in 47 games - a 1.64 P/pg.

Because points are everything

 

[LeProspector]

Because points are everything

They are in this context because Cole Beaudoin provides the same two way play, while putting up 17 more points.

 

[LeafChief]

I can't believe Edmonton traded this guy.

 

[CupofOil]

Once you realize Howard was going to have a hard time translating to the pros, it became apparent EDM overpaid. Classic "Blowman"...

He had a very good rookie year in the AHL so I don't know what you're getting at.

I'm not a fan of the trade mainly because I think that highly of O'Reilly and the all important RH Center vs small winger thing but Howard did very well in his first pro season.

 

[atlanticobserver]

He had a very good rookie year in the AHL so I don't know what you're getting at.

I'm not a fan of the trade mainly because I think that highly of O'Reilly and the all important RH Center vs small winger thing but Howard did very well in his first pro season.

Everyone develops at their own pace, but historically players who don't have some sort of breakthrough by their D+3 season end up as fringe NHLers. Howard was a 2022 pick, so if something doesn't happen for him at the NHL level next season, the historical trends aren't really on his side.

 

[Boreal01]

Named MVP of the OHL Playoffs

 

[frontsfan67]

1st round pick, Member of team Canada U20,MVP of OHL playoffs, 3x OHL champion, 1x Memorial cup champion, maybe 2 soon??

Very well established so far in his young career. Bolts got a good one

 

[SirSamOSuperstar]

1st round pick, Member of team Canada U20,MVP of OHL playoffs, 3x OHL champion, 1x Memorial cup champion, maybe 2 soon??

Very well established so far in his young career. Bolts got a good one

I approve of this!

#namechecks

 

[atlanticobserver]

What a beast

 

[Bounces R Way]

Common Oilers L

 

[Hockeyville USA]

I see Elias Lindholm in O'Reilly's game

 

[atlanticobserver]

Where do you all think SOR ranks among prospects now? I recall the consensus was in the 70s or later prior to the trade to Kitchener, but I feel like he's gotta be at least pushing top 50 at this point

 

[GoBoltz56]

Common Oilers L

LOiLers

 

[atlanticobserver]

LOiLers

Still pretty early, and I admit I was a big fan of Howard at MSU, but if you were to offer JBB Howard straight up for SOR right now, I doubt he would say yes

 

[BeranekAndNeck]

Common Oilers L

And yet not as common as Flames losses were this year.

 

[Bounces R Way]

And yet not as common as Flames losses were this year.

Were 3-1 against the vaunted "cup contenders" up the highway. But congrats on the extra week and a half.

 

[fancy dan]

Were 3-1 against the vaunted "cup contenders" up the highway. But congrats on the extra week and a half.

lol at this cope.