The Lightning just recalled a young forward who could play as soon as tonight. Sam O'Reilly, 20, was called up from Syracuse in the American Hockey League, and he could play his first NHL game tonight against Buffalo.
A recall worth noticing
O'Reilly scored 2 goals and 4 points in 12 games with Syracuse, in his first 12 games as a professional. He was drafted 32nd overall in 2024 by Edmonton. On Tuesday, he skated alongside Jake Guentzel and Yanni Gourde, and he took the bumper spot on the power play. Head coach Jon Cooper said he would expect him to get an opportunity.
What it means for your pool
In a points-only pool, it is better to wait and see him play before making a move. In keeper and dynasty leagues, he is a name to note right away, especially with a look next to Guentzel and a power play role. A first NHL game guarantees nothing, but the opportunity is a good one.
Sources
The facts in this article come from the Lightning on X, NHL.com and Sam O'Reilly's page on the NHL API.