Edmonton Oilers Prospects: Sam O'Reilly Continues Strong Year
Sam O'Reilly (Perry Nelson-Imagn Images)EDMONTON – There is no time like the present.
The Edmonton Oilers believe that thoroughly, even if many believe they should have made more additions at the NHL Trade Deadline last week. The Oilers have all the major pieces they need, and it's all a matter of filling out their roster.
As far as the future is concerned, they should have no issues filling out the center position.
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Sam O'Reilly started slow for the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), but he's been on a flaming hot run over the last six games. More specifically, he's found his goal-scoring touch.
The Oilers didn't select O'Reilly because of his sniper ability —they selected him because of his multifaceted game and his two-way ability.
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In his last six games, O'Reilly has eight goals and six assists for 14 points. The Oilers' prospect has recorded two hat tricks during that span.
Part of his success has been a result of fearlessly shooting the pill. In those six games, O’Reilly has 28 shots, an average of 4.6 shots on goal per game.
The 32nd overall draft pick from the 2024 draft now has 67 points in 59 games. O’Reilly is a +52 for the Knights.
O’Reilly’s first of the two hat tricks came on February 28th. It was also the first hat trick of his OHL career. The Oilers prospect finished the game against the Owen Sound Attack with a hat-trick on six shots. He finished the game +3 and was named the first star.
Given his talents, there is a good chance he could be the Oilers' third-line center in as few as two years. There was a reason the Oilers traded into the first-round to draft him this past summer.
Keep your eyes peeled on this one, Oil Country.
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