Edmonton Oilers first round draft pick turning heads at training camp

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Finnegan Frost
September 26, 2024 (12:24)

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Although the NHL preseason hasnt been going as well for the Oilers as some fans would've hoped, Sam O'Reilly has emerged as a bright star for the team.

Oilers Insider Jim Matheson recently posted on X (formally known as twitter) his two cents regarding O'Reilly's training camp so far. Matheseon reports that he's been quite impressed with O'Reilly's game, and almost surprised the Oilers have kept him around this long. Typically, first young first rounders will play one or two games before being sent down - but O'Reilly is still standing strong half way through camp.

He's got game

Matheson also reports that the Oilers will be sending him back to the OHL's London Knights at some point, but the experience he's gaining at the NHL level will be incredibly valuable to his overall development. As it stands, the Oilers are milking every bit of Sam O'Reilly they can before sending him packing him back to Ontario.

Dobber prospects describes O'Reilly as an incredibly intelligent two-way center with solid playmaking tools. Skating needs work, but could develop into a third-line, penalty-killing specialist.

As per the NHL, The Edmonton Oilers weren't even on the radar of the 18-year-old center for London of the Ontario Hockey League following a season that culminated with an OHL title and a trip to the Memorial Cup Final.

After all, entering the 2024 NHL Draft, the Oilers didn't have a pick in the first round, where O'Reilly was hoping to be selected, but that didn't stop him from winding up in Edmonton last week after the Oilers traded up to get back into the first round and choose the Toronto native with the No. 32 selection.

O'Reilly will be looking have another stellar performance when the Oilers take on the Seattle Kraken tomorrow at Rogers Place.

source: NHL
O'Reilly's intangibles sold Oilers on trading up to select forward in 1st round