Pens Claim Cal O'Reilly off Re-entry Waivers

by Hooks Orpik on Feb 1, 2012 12:16 PM EST

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 17: (L-R) Keith Yandle #3, Shane Doan #19, Cal O'Reilly #26 and Ray Whitney #13 of the Phoenix Coyotes celebrate after O'Reilly scored a second period power play goal against the New York Rangers during the NHL game at Jobing.com Arena on December 17, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Per Darren Dreger and Nick Kypreos on twitter, the Pittsburgh Penguins have gone out and claimed Cal O'Reilly off re-entry waivers.

Cal O`Reilly

#26 / Center / Phoenix Coyotes

Height: 6-0

Weight: 188

Born: Sep 30, 1986

O'Reilly, 25, has been well traveled this year. He started in the Nashville system, a 5th round draft pick of theirs in 2005. Not quite cracking the NHL roster full time, Nashville traded him early in the season to Phoenix for a 4th round pick. (The same return the Pens got for Mark Letestu to Columbus).

He didn't make it in Phoenix either, getting waived there and now they were trying to bring him back. Since it's a re-entry claim, Pittsburgh is only on the hook for half of his salary, about $500k pro-rated to the end of the season. O'Reilly is a restricted free agent at season's end.

In 27 NHL games this season (combined Phoenix and Nashville) O'Reilly has 2 goals, 3 assists and a -7 +/- rating. For his career he's got 40 points in 107 NHL games.

With Pittsburgh not finding much secondary scoring and injuries to Jordan Staal and Sidney Crosby, they could use a fresh forward or two, and it appears they're going to give O'Reilly a shot to prove himself. It's a very low risk and potentially medium sized reward move for Pittsburgh.

Update: From Carl Putnam, a writer at SB Nation Blog Five for Howling, a little scouting report:

"He's a bit of an enigma. Decent size, speed, skill, but for some reason it hasn't come together for him....He's been stuck playing mostly 4th line duty in PHX & NSH. Playing him with better skilled guys might help...Of course in that case playing w/ Pens wingers might not be the solution."

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I liked the move when Phoenix claimed him, and I like it just as much now. He could conceivably be a passable 2nd line C until Crosby and/or Staal get healthy. There is literally no risk so why not. He was almost a ppg player in both the OHL and AHL, so he does have some skill

by AronV on Feb 1, 2012 12:21 PM EST reply actions

I like it too. The centers (other than Malkin, of course) aren’t doing much. Jeffrey flashed that one game but has been pretty invisible otherwise. Joey V gave the spark last night, but he’s got 3 goals all season long. Richard Park hustles and is savvy, but again he’s not going to fill the net.

Why not give a chance to someone relatively young and has some skill. Especially for the cost, which is basically nothing. Worst case scenario, O’Reilly doesn’t do much, Pens waive him and another team claims him (off the hook) or you could send him to WB/S and they get a pretty skilled player for their run.

Pensburgh

"You come at the King, you best not miss."

by Hooks Orpik on Feb 1, 2012 12:30 PM EST up reply actions

Not a bad move at all. Ive seen him play a little bit hes got some skill

by GO_BUCS on Feb 1, 2012 12:25 PM EST reply actions

A silver lining for you

O’Reilly’s best days in Nashville came at the beginning of last season, when he clicked on a line with Steve Sullivan for about the first six weeks. Once the Preds suffered injuries at center and he couldn’t be protected by the likes of David Legwand, his production dried right up. Here’s a look at how that played out:

http://www.ontheforecheck.com/2011/1/17/1939731/nashville-predators-still-rely-on-david-legwand-mondays-notes

Follow @Forechecker

Managing Editor of On the Forecheck, SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators, and a guy who can help you save money on all things hockey-related at Hockey Gear HQ.

by Dirk Hoag on Feb 1, 2012 1:06 PM EST reply actions

makes perfect sense to pair him and Sully up on that 2nd line and see what happens.

by AronV on Feb 1, 2012 1:18 PM EST up reply actions

Sweet, great stuff Dirk.

Sully looked pretty damn good last night, the All-Star break seemed to do him a lot of good. And, on Team Injury, quite ironically he’s played every game. (knocks on wood, sacrifices a goat).

Pensburgh

"You come at the King, you best not miss."

by Hooks Orpik on Feb 1, 2012 1:13 PM EST reply actions

Assuming it's not O'Reilly himself...

…who do you guys suppose gets bumped to the fourth line as a result of his acquisition? Because as much as I hate the idea, it seems like it almost has to be Jeffrey.

Also, does anyone know whether or not O’Reilly will be in the lineup tonight?

Hard work always beats talent if talent doesn't work hard.

"Matt Cooke and Evgeni Malkin for Brian Boyle, Derek Stepan, Brandon Dubinsky, Mike Rupp, and a first round pick." -JackCampbell

How many brooks would a Brooks Laich like if a Brooks Laich could like brooks?

by wg1of5 on Feb 1, 2012 1:41 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions

Haven’t heard about his status tonight, but my guess would be the same lineup. Doubt they’d literally just throw him in.

Tomorrow I’d probably expect McDonald back to minors and O’Reilly slotting in to practice.

Personally I would line it up as-
Kunitz-Malkin-Neal
Sullivan-O’Reilly-Dupuis
Cooke-Park-Kennedy
Adams-Vitale-Jeffrey

What Bylsma will do, remains to be seen of course.

Pensburgh

"You come at the King, you best not miss."

by Hooks Orpik on Feb 1, 2012 2:04 PM EST up reply actions

I was just typing out a post on what I thought the lines should be, but then I spotted your post and yours is EXACTLY the same as mine.

by CARBONITE on Feb 1, 2012 2:07 PM EST up reply actions

Great minds, my friend.

Pensburgh

"You come at the King, you best not miss."

by Hooks Orpik on Feb 1, 2012 2:59 PM EST up reply actions

Pens Wingers

lol @ Carl Putnam quote “Playing him with better skilled guys might help…Of course in that case playing w/ Pens wingers might not be the solution.”

That.

But I like the move. Malkin, Neal, Fleury and Letang are the entire team right now. Somebody else needs to start contributing more regularly, and all the current guys have had plenty of chances. So I like the idea of giving him a shot.

As we all know here, some unexpected players flourish in Bylsma’s system. James Neal and Pascal Dupuis are the best examples.

grain of salt

by PaulMorel on Feb 1, 2012 2:01 PM EST reply actions

I’ve had the chance to watch Cal play over the years with the Milwaukee Admirals. The guy is really tough, and put up decent scoring numbers at the AHL level. I think getting him into the Pens system can be great for him. Seems like a ‘nothing to really lose’ pick up.

PensBurgh penalty - @Doctor_Lavender - 2 Minutes for Twittering.

by Lavender on Feb 1, 2012 4:22 PM EST reply actions

I completely agree with the ‘nothing to really lose’ comment. For the amount of money he is costing it is worth the little risk that is involved.

by xaryss on Feb 1, 2012 4:47 PM EST up reply actions

I second those thoughts as well.

"He doesn’t know whether to cry or wind his watch."..... Mike Lange

by Randy F on Feb 1, 2012 6:39 PM EST up reply actions

Can he (successfully) screen a goalie?

by Taavi on Feb 1, 2012 6:18 PM EST reply actions

Does anyone think we’ll be calling up BT and maybe waive BJ? I don’t think Fleury can keep going at this rate, especially if we’re pushing for the playoffs.

"Hockey is the only tribe I belong to." -Jack Falla
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by AlexStitch on Feb 1, 2012 7:39 PM EST reply actions

by AronV on Feb 1, 2012 10:49 PM EST up reply actions

Johnson's good night yesterday aside, I'd be on board with that.

I can’t honestly see the Pens doing it, though. My guess is that they’ll just bear through using Johnson until the end of the year, with Thiessen getting the job next year when Johnson walks.

Hard work always beats talent if talent doesn't work hard.

"Matt Cooke and Evgeni Malkin for Brian Boyle, Derek Stepan, Brandon Dubinsky, Mike Rupp, and a first round pick." -JackCampbell

How many brooks would a Brooks Laich like if a Brooks Laich could like brooks?

by wg1of5 on Feb 2, 2012 11:20 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions