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F Sam O’Reilly - London Knights, OHL (2024, 32nd, EDM)

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I like this guy. Seems to have a pro style game. As I've said before, he reminds me of Ryan Hartman w/o the stupid penalties. I don't see that it's a bad move by EDM, but let's be real. #32 picks seldom have much of a career, nvm 1-2 years after their draft year. If he gets any NHL games in his D+3 year it'll be a win for EDM.
 
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Not sure why Edmonton would draft a player like him when he should 100% be a center and they already have Drai and McDavid, but O'Reilly is at least a great complimentary forward and could definitely replace Hyman. At worst he adds to the PKing and 3rd and 4th lines similar to a player like Brown.
 
Dead Coyote said:
Not sure why Edmonton would draft a player like him when he should 100% be a center and they already have Drai and McDavid, but O'Reilly is at least a great complimentary forward and could definitely replace Hyman. At worst he adds to the PKing and 3rd and 4th lines similar to a player like Brown.
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3C has been an issue. RNH is often on the wing these days and McLeod doesn't have the grit to be a great 3C. Not sure if we see him as a center or as an eventual Hyman type of player on the wing? He seems like the kind of guy that can thrive in a number of roles.
 
Bryanbryoil said:
3C has been an issue. RNH is often on the wing these days and McLeod doesn't have the grit to be a great 3C. Not sure if we see him as a center or as an eventual Hyman type of player on the wing? He seems like the kind of guy that can thrive in a number of roles.
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He absolutely should be able to thrive in a number of roles, could potentially play as early as 2 years from now but it's more likely he's 3-4 years away. Needs to improve his skating but he could definitely look good in Edmonton.
 
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Dead Coyote said:
Not sure why Edmonton would draft a player like him when he should 100% be a center and they already have Drai and McDavid, but O'Reilly is at least a great complimentary forward and could definitely replace Hyman. At worst he adds to the PKing and 3rd and 4th lines similar to a player like Brown.
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Why should he be a C? He would be a great middle 6 RWer. Oilers had 8 'centers' playing in playoffs..

McD, Drai, Nuge, Henrique, Ryan, Carrick, McLeod, Holloway.
 
LTIR said:
Why should he be a C? He would be a great middle 6 RWer. Oilers had 8 'centers' playing in playoffs..

McD, Drai, Nuge, Henrique, Ryan, Carrick, McLeod, Holloway.
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Because he's great on faceoffs, fantastic defensively, plays the middle of the ice on both sides and is a great anchor. He's the ideal 2C if he hits and is an ideal 3 or 4C already most likely.
 
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Dead Coyote said:
Because he's great on faceoffs, fantastic defensively, plays the middle of the ice on both sides and is a great anchor. He's the ideal 2C if he hits and is an ideal 3 or 4C already most likely.
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I'm junior or maybe AHL sure.. NHL is a different beast. Holloway will likely be a winger in NHL and there is a need of RWers going forward as well.. This kid wasn't even a forward 3 yrs ago.. He has been playing RD most of the time growing up. But if he can turn into a C it would be a bonus for Oilers.
 
LTIR said:
I'm junior or maybe AHL sure.. NHL is a different beast. Holloway will likely be a winger in NHL and there is a need of RWers going forward as well.. This kid wasn't even a forward 3 yrs ago.. He has been playing RD most of the time growing up. But if he can turn into a C it would be a bonus for Oilers.
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From what I gather London played him as a rookie at C in key situations and face offs. As an oiler fan I want that further developed.
 
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Dead Coyote said:
Not sure why Edmonton would draft a player like him when he should 100% be a center and they already have Drai and McDavid, but O'Reilly is at least a great complimentary forward and could definitely replace Hyman. At worst he adds to the PKing and 3rd and 4th lines similar to a player like Brown.
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Will McDrai be in Edmonton by the time he could be NHL ready?
 
Pavel Buchnevich said:
Will McDrai be in Edmonton by the time he could be NHL ready?
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If Draisaitl signs an 8 year extension this summer, which all signs point to, then yes.

I like what I'm hearing and seeing on this kid. Seems like a very solid player with a good head on his shoulders. Plays a pro style game, trusted in all zones and has a ton of room to grow. I like the scouting staff stepping up and swinging on a guy they really believe in. From sounds of it he needs to work on skating. Oil development, if they can do one thing right, its help to improve skating. looking forward to watching him progress.
 
Dead Coyote said:
Not sure why Edmonton would draft a player like him when he should 100% be a center and they already have Drai and McDavid, but O'Reilly is at least a great complimentary forward and could definitely replace Hyman. At worst he adds to the PKing and 3rd and 4th lines similar to a player like Brown.
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3rd line centers are really important and under valued it seems.

Pavel Buchnevich said:
Will McDrai be in Edmonton by the time he could be NHL ready?
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95% yes IMO.
 
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Dead Coyote said:
Yes, considering McDavid is signed for 2 more years and Drai for one more. I anticipate SOR entering the league in his D+2, at most his D+3 if you wanna give him a year of AHL too. But he's NHL ready now, sooooo.
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I assume you watch a good bit of the Knights based on your posts. What are your thoughts on Nicholl? Could they be linemates next season?
 
Bryanbryoil said:
I assume you watch a good bit of the Knights based on your posts. What are your thoughts on Nicholl? Could they be linemates next season?
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Nicholl hasn't really found his groove yet like O'Reilly has, he's mostly been on the 3rd and 4th lines on grinding duty. It's really hard to say what his role will be next year because there are a huge number of players who are going to be overagers on London (Julian?, Gazisov, Edward, McCue, Lawrence, George, Sim) and there's potential that Cowan sticks with the Leafs.

That pretty much leaves Barkey, Halttunen and SOR from last years team from the top 6 (Halttunen mostly played 3rd line too but was 1st PP) and Nicholl and Brzuwesticz that were on the team before for forwards (though Henry is probably is a d-man this season) and then there's a couple 17yo who might make an impact but it probably is going to solely rely on what the Knights do trade wise. It's also pretty likely that Gazisov comes back and Julian probably will too, If Nurmi comes over from overseas he'll probably also be in the top 6. Sim could also come back and get promoted to the top 6.

Nicholl could potentially take Gazisov or Sim's place in the top 6 if he performs well but it's more likely that the Knights bring back some players and trade for some players and he gets relegated to the 3rd or 4th line again. If he gets to play with Sim and another decent player he could look a lot better though.

I think there's probably still 0% chance that Nicholl and SOR play together though as I expect the top line to be Barkey - SOR - Halttunen if Cowan doesn't come back, and if he does it'll probably either be Halttunen or SOR getting bumped to the 2nd line.

We just don't really know right now since camps haven't finished and teams are still making decisions about where their prospects are going.

As for Nicholl himself he's a great energy player with a bit of skill, he has decent all round skills but nothing particularly that stands out, he's willing to work for the puck and go hard in the corners and is a pretty good forechecker because of it but he doesn't have the hands, shot, or vision to complement his other traits. I think his vision is probably his best offensive trait and he can potentially find and pounce on a puck with a quick release to score or make a nice pass across the ice to someone who's open but he's really only shown flashes of that potential. If he puts it all together he probably ends up as a 3rd or 4th liner with some skill who can occasionally mesh well and isn't a detriment to his team. His defense is generally pretty solid, it's mostly offensively that he can leave you frustrated.
 
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Dead Coyote said:
Nicholl hasn't really found his groove yet like O'Reilly has, he's mostly been on the 3rd and 4th lines on grinding duty. It's really hard to say what his role will be next year because there are a huge number of players who are going to be overagers on London (Julian?, Gazisov, Edward, McCue, Lawrence, George, Sim) and there's potential that Cowan sticks with the Leafs.

That pretty much leaves Barkey, Halttunen and SOR from last years team from the top 6 (Halttunen mostly played 3rd line too but was 1st PP) and Nicholl and Brzuwesticz that were on the team before for forwards (though Henry is probably is a d-man this season) and then there's a couple 17yo who might make an impact but it probably is going to solely rely on what the Knights do trade wise. It's also pretty likely that Gazisov comes back and Julian probably will too, If Nurmi comes over from overseas he'll probably also be in the top 6. Sim could also come back and get promoted to the top 6.

Nicholl could potentially take Gazisov or Sim's place in the top 6 if he performs well but it's more likely that the Knights bring back some players and trade for some players and he gets relegated to the 3rd or 4th line again. If he gets to play with Sim and another decent player he could look a lot better though.

I think there's probably still 0% chance that Nicholl and SOR play together though as I expect the top line to be Barkey - SOR - Halttunen if Cowan doesn't come back, and if he does it'll probably either be Halttunen or SOR getting bumped to the 2nd line.

We just don't really know right now since camps haven't finished and teams are still making decisions about where their prospects are going.

As for Nicholl himself he's a great energy player with a bit of skill, he has decent all round skills but nothing particularly that stands out, he's willing to work for the puck and go hard in the corners and is a pretty good forechecker because of it but he doesn't have the hands, shot, or vision to complement his other traits. I think his vision is probably his best offensive trait and he can potentially find and pounce on a puck with a quick release to score or make a nice pass across the ice to someone who's open but he's really only shown flashes of that potential. If he puts it all together he probably ends up as a 3rd or 4th liner with some skill who can occasionally mesh well and isn't a detriment to his team. His defense is generally pretty solid, it's mostly offensively that he can leave you frustrated.
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Awesome, thanks for such a detailed response!
 
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