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Wednesday, 01 February 2012 13:10

Written by Seth Rorabaugh

The Penguin have claimed center Cal O'Reilly off re-entry waivers from the Phoenix Coyotes.

O'Reilly, 25, has played for Coyotes and Nashville Predators this season. In 27 games this season, he has scored six points (one goal, five assists). He has also appeared in five games and scored two points (one goal, one assist) this season with the Portland Pirates, Phoenix's AHL affiliate. The Coyote acquired him from the Predators Oct. 28 in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick in 2012.

O'Reilly, 6-foot-0, 188 pounds, set career highs with the Predators last season in games played (38), goals (six), assists (12) and points (18). In 107 career NHL games, he has 40 points (13 goals, 27 assists).

O'Reilly is 5 for 11 in career shootouts (45.5%).

He was a fifth round pick of the Predators in 2005. His younger brother, Ryan, is a center with the Colorado Avalanche.

O'Reilly has a salary cap hit of $1,050,000 though the Penguins will absorb half of that total since he was claimed on re-entry waivers. He is scheduled to become a restricted free agent after this season.

A few highlights:

EN Says: The automatic connection one thinks of is Nashville and Ray Shero who used to be a the assistant general manager of the Predators.

O'Reilly is a playmaker. He's a guy who can create a little offense and even has a little finishing ability. He almost like Mark Letestu, minus the faceoff abilities.

Don't expect much defensively from O'Reilly. That's never been his strength. And he's not all that physical.

Prior to last night, the Penguins have not gotten a ton of offense from any secondary sources. This move could offer a stop-gap in that area until Sidney Crosby and Jordan Staal make their returns.

(Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Comments (2)

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written by espo33, February 01, 2012 - 01:26 PM

I was going to ask how is he on the face off, because we need help there. This is also a sign that need more production from Jeffrey and aren't getting it. He just needs some time to get back into things.

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written by espo33, February 01, 2012 - 02:24 PM

Just checked out his FO stats. For the last some years about 44-47%.

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