Player Discussion Ryan O'Reilly - all purpose discussion thread

[La Cosa Nostra]

He's definitely been above average overall so far as a Sabre though year 1 was significantly better then year 2. But for $7.5 mil a season and being paid as a top 8 center I feel he still has to be even better then he has. When you factor in what we dealt and the contract given out, he has to play defensively like he did in 15-16 then he did in 16-17. I'd also like to see him reach 70 points. While he has been above average in his two way game he obviously is still a step behind the true elite defensive type centers like Bergeron and Kesler. I'm hoping for a 25-45-70 type season from RoR along with a slightly improved two way game. I'd like to see him get a couple minutes less ES time too to keep him more fresh, and with Eichel getting more time next season and Reinhart also getting a line to center himself I think it's possible to cut his ice time by at least 2:00 if not 2:30 a game. Reinhart as a 3C would mean the third line is given more ice time then they have gotten the last few years.

 

[ZZamboni]

Well done by the future captain.

 

[Paxon]

He's definitely been above average overall so far as a Sabre though year 1 was significantly better then year 2. But for $7.5 mil a season and being paid as a top 8 center I feel he still has to be even better then he has. When you factor in what we dealt and the contract given out, he has to play defensively like he did in 15-16 then he did in 16-17. I'd also like to see him reach 70 points. While he has been above average in his two way game he obviously is still a step behind the true elite defensive type centers like Bergeron and Kesler. I'm hoping for a 25-45-70 type season from RoR along with a slightly improved two way game. I'd like to see him get a couple minutes less ES time too to keep him more fresh, and with Eichel getting more time next season and Reinhart also getting a line to center himself I think it's possible to cut his ice time by at least 2:00 if not 2:30 a game. Reinhart as a 3C would mean the third line is given more ice time then they have gotten the last few years.

He isn't going to remain paid like a top 8 center. Only so many high end guys get new deals in a given season, so there aren't as many deals reflection the rising cap hits. His hit will go down the list over time. 7.5 is just fine for him. We locked in a cornerstone long-term. Before that deal we had not a single core player who wasn't a kid.

 

[LaxSabre]

2016-2017 Lady Byng Trophy Voting (Top 20 Finishers)

# |Player |Team |PTS |1|2|3|4|5
1|Gaudreau Johnny|CGY|906|54|33|15|16|12
2|Tarasenko Vladimir|STL|738|35|31|25|12|10
3|Granlund Mikael|MIN|445|12|22|23|16|8
4|Hossa Marian|CHI|320|17|13|9|3|5
5|Klefbom Oscar|EDM|264|11|8|12|7|17
6|Matthews Auston|TOR|238|2|14|12|15|15
7|Saad Brandon|CLB|211|1|10|15|12|20
8|Pominville Jason|MIN|127|4|5|4|9|5
9|Zetterberg Henrik|DET|119|5|1|7|8|3
10|O’Reilly Ryan|BUF|98|1|2|7|11|6
11|Keith Duncan|CHI|67|3|2|2|4|1
12|Carlson John|WAS|55|2|1|4|2|2
13|Barkov Aleksander|FLA|54|2|0|4|3|5
14|McDavid Connor|EDM|51|3|3|0|0|0
15|Karlsson Erik|OTT|50|3|0|2|3|1
16|Crosby Sidney|PIT|47|2|3|0|2|0
17|Draisaitl Leon|EDM|46|0|4|1|3|4
18|Johansson Marcus|WAS|37|0|2|0|4|11
19|Spurgeon Jared|MIN|33|1|2|1|0|4
20|Rakell Rickard|ANA|29|0|2|2|1|2

2016-2017 Frank Selke Trophy Voting (Top 20 Finishers)

# |Player |Team |PTS |1|2|3|4|5
1|Bergeron Patrice|BOS|1147|71|39|24|11|11
2|Kesler Ryan|ANA|945|45|45|25|15|10
3|Koivu Mikko|MIN|752|28|34|28|28|10
4|Backlund Mikael|CGY|310|3|12|26|16|18
5|Toews Jonathan|CHI|273|5|9|17|17|24
6|Stone Mark|OTT|113|0|2|7|16|16
7|Backstrom Nicklas|WAS|111|1|6|4|9|12
8|Tavares John|NYI|80|1|5|2|6|7
9|Staal Jordan|CAR|55|1|3|2|3|5
10|Crosby Sidney|PIT|51|3|1|2|1|1
11|O’Reilly Ryan|BUF|51|0|1|5|4|7
12|Marchand Brad|BOS|50|1|3|3|1|1
13|Granlund Mikael|MIN|33|0|1|1|6|3
14|Hossa Marian|CHI|31|1|0|2|3|2
15|Kopitar Anze|LA|30|0|0|2|5|5
16|McDavid Connor|EDM|28|1|0|2|2|2
17|Barkov Aleksander|FLA|21|1|0|1|1|3
18|Zetterberg Henrik|DET|21|0|1|2|1|1
19|Oshie T.J.|WAS|20|2|0|0|0|0
20|Kadri Nazem|TOR|19|0|1|2|0|2

 

[La Cosa Nostra]

With Carrier gone who will get a long look on RoRs LW? Kane if he stays? Nylander if he makes the club? Girgensons? Someone we acquire? OR maybe RoR moves to LW and plays with Eichel. It's almost a given Okposo is his RW, I'm eager to see who he gets on his left flank.

 

[cybresabre]

Ryan got one fewer first place vote for "most gentlemanly player" than the man who tried to castrate him. Yowza.

 

[Shootica]

With Carrier gone who will get a long look on RoRs LW? Kane if he stays? Nylander if he makes the club? Girgensons? Someone we acquire? OR maybe RoR moves to LW and plays with Eichel. It's almost a given Okposo is his RW, I'm eager to see who he gets on his left flank.

People might hate this idea, but Ennis has played well on ROR's wing before. If he can come into the year healthy and rejuvenated, I think there's potential there.

 

[Aladyyn]

I'm sure Ryan would love having a defensive black hole on his wing.

 

[dasaybz]

With Carrier gone who will get a long look on RoRs LW? Kane if he stays? Nylander if he makes the club? Girgensons? Someone we acquire? OR maybe RoR moves to LW and plays with Eichel. It's almost a given Okposo is his RW, I'm eager to see who he gets on his left flank.

Can Larsson play wing? I don't ever remember seeing him playing wing ...

 

[Reddawg]

I wouldn't hate seeing Baptiste start out on ROR's wing with Okposo on the other side. That line could be special with Ryan's playmaking and Nick and Kyle's finishing ability.

 

[dasaybz]

I wouldn't hate seeing Baptiste start out on ROR's wing with Okposo on the other side. That line could be special with Ryan's playmaking and Nick and Kyle's finishing ability.

I doubt Baptiste starts the season in the NHL. He looks like a player that needs to hang around in the AHL a little longer ... just my 2 cents.

 

[Reddawg]

I doubt Baptiste starts the season in the NHL. He looks like a player that needs to hang around in the AHL a little longer ... just my 2 cents.

Probably accurate, especially now that the Sabres care how the Amerks perform. Still, he's fast, strong and good in front of the net...that wouldn't suck with those two guys dishing the puck.

 

[haseoke39]

With a new coach and GM, and a new system the emphasizes his speed, I wouldn't be surprised if Baptiste starts the year here. All the micro-rankings between prospects and players on similar tiers get reshuffled.

 

[Jame]

With a new coach and GM, and a new system the emphasizes his speed, I wouldn't be surprised if Baptiste starts the year here. All the micro-rankings between prospects and players on similar tiers get reshuffled.

Given how we've seen Pit operate... I'd be surprised.

I'd expect anyone who can start in Rochester, to start in Rochester...

 

[dasaybz]

Given how we've seen Pit operate... I'd be surprised.

I'd expect anyone who can start in Rochester, to start in Rochester...

Hopefully Bailey can step it up, to me he looks like the obvious next man up from Roch, but he's gotta be more consistent.

 

[ZZamboni]

Given how we've seen Pit operate... I'd be surprised.

I'd expect anyone who can start in Rochester, to start in Rochester...

My thoughts as well.

 

[Reddawg]

Hopefully Bailey can step it up, to me he looks like the obvious next man up from Roch, but he's gotta be more consistent.

He's the only player I've ever seen who might be too fast for his own good, his feet are quicker than his brain with the puck.

 

[Team Cozens]

With Carrier gone who will get a long look on RoRs LW? Kane if he stays? Nylander if he makes the club? Girgensons? Someone we acquire? OR maybe RoR moves to LW and plays with Eichel. It's almost a given Okposo is his RW, I'm eager to see who he gets on his left flank.

The last few games of the season Ennis - ROR- Okposo played very well together.
Didn't Ennis and ROR have good chemistry on Team Canada a couple of years ago??

Bet that's what starts the season. Don't shoot the messenger.

 

[Jame]

Hopefully Bailey can step it up, to me he looks like the obvious next man up from Roch, but he's gotta be more consistent.

He's like... the last man up.

 

[OkimLom]

He's the only player I've ever seen who might be too fast for his own good, his feet are quicker than his brain with the puck.

Afinogenov feels bad you forgot about him

 

[Reddawg]

Afinogenov feels bad you forgot about him

Heh, Bailey wishes he had Afinogenov's hands.

 

[Aladyyn]

Can Larsson play wing? I don't ever remember seeing him playing wing ...

It's better that you don't remember, he's looked terrible at wing.

 

[Team Cozens]

Watching ROR play for Canada with skilled wingers reminded me how awesome he is.
I also think he played injured last season.
An improved and motivated Eichel plus ROR is going to be so much fun to watch next season. Can't wait.

 

[OkimLom]

Heh, Bailey wishes he had Afinogenov's hands.

But it wasn't about his hands, it was about his brain...

 

[dasaybz]

He's like... the last man up.

That's why he played in 32 games last year.