RYAN O'REILLY - Center - 28 - $7.50MM Cap Hit - UFA in 2023-2024
LAST UPDATED 8/20/19
For the past few offseasons, Ryan O'Reilly has been a controversial player. His defensive prowess was never disputed, and he's always been considered among the game's best defensive centers. But, disagreements came about when fans would discuss his overall value to a franchise's health, and whether or not he was really helping them win. Losing had always followed O'Reilly, and that kind of reputation can be hard to shake. Additionally, O'Reilly's offensive production was stuck in the rut between 55-65 points, leaving his status as either a 1C or 2C up for debate. I think that debate is over now, though. O'Reilly finally got to show the NHL what he was all about as a St. Louis Blue, and he proved to be a huge fit, and he ended up scoring 77 points, and he had a dominant playoff campaign leading the team to its first ever Stanley Cup Victory, on the back of his crucial game-7 goal. O'Reilly is, as he always has been, one of the game's elite defensive centers. There are few centers in hockey who can the dominant force away from the puck that O'Reilly is. ROR is an elite player right from the faceoff dot, and he has shown the ability to win faceoffs at a 60% rate over a full-season's sample size. That's insane. ROR is also adept at pinning himself to the top forwards of the other team, becoming a suffocating presence that destroys his opponent's ability to create time and space with the puck. His endless motor allows him to play the minutes of a high-end defenseman, and make his presence felt in every situation. Offensively, O'Reilly has blossomed into an elite point producer. His intelligence, energy, and underrated offensive instincts make him a perfect fit on St. Louis' first line. ROR is adept at using his grit and determination to get the puck and hold on to it for as long as possible, and that is what gives him the time and space with the puck he needs to create offense. A point-per-game future is not out of the question for O'Reilly, and the sky's the limit for where he can go. He's a legitimate do-it-all 1C and one of the game's most valuable centers.
For the past few offseasons, Ryan O'Reilly has been a controversial player. His defensive prowess was never disputed, and he's always been considered among the game's best defensive centers. But, disagreements came about when fans would discuss his overall value to a franchise's health, and whether or not he was really helping them win. Losing had always followed O'Reilly, and that kind of reputation can be hard to shake. Additionally, O'Reilly's offensive production was stuck in the rut between 55-65 points, leaving his status as either a 1C or 2C up for debate. I think that debate is over now, though. O'Reilly finally got to show the NHL what he was all about as a St. Louis Blue, and he proved to be a huge fit, and he ended up scoring 77 points, and he had a dominant playoff campaign leading the team to its first ever Stanley Cup Victory, on the back of his crucial game-7 goal. O'Reilly is, as he always has been, one of the game's elite defensive centers. There are few centers in hockey who can the dominant force away from the puck that O'Reilly is. ROR is an elite player right from the faceoff dot, and he has shown the ability to win faceoffs at a 60% rate over a full-season's sample size. That's insane. ROR is also adept at pinning himself to the top forwards of the other team, becoming a suffocating presence that destroys his opponent's ability to create time and space with the puck. His endless motor allows him to play the minutes of a high-end defenseman, and make his presence felt in every situation. Offensively, O'Reilly has blossomed into an elite point producer. His intelligence, energy, and underrated offensive instincts make him a perfect fit on St. Louis' first line. ROR is adept at using his grit and determination to get the puck and hold on to it for as long as possible, and that is what gives him the time and space with the puck he needs to create offense. A point-per-game future is not out of the question for O'Reilly, and the sky's the limit for where he can go. He's a legitimate do-it-all 1C and one of the game's most valuable centers.
Services |
Company |
|