The Curious Case of Cal O'Reilly

by Chris Burton on May 23, 2010 7:00 AM EDT in Nashville Predators Player Profiles

Its pretty well known that the Nashville Predators have had significant trouble developing good offensive talent within the organization. If you're a long time fan, you can probably name them all on one hand - Scott Hartnell, Martin Erat, Alexander Radulov, and Scottie Upshall. Its puzzling, then, when someone with the obvious talent of center Cal O'Reilly comes along that he isn't given a chance or doesn't progress properly.

What follows are some thoughts on O'Reilly and where the Preds might go from here in his regard. Keep in mind, after the upcoming season there will be a decision to be made about his contract.

Cal O`Reilly

#16 / Center / Nashville Predators

Height: 6-0

Weight: 187

Born: Sep 30, 1986

Contract: 1 year remaining, $562, 500 (RFA)

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2009 - Cal O`Reilly	31	2	9	11	1	4	1	0	0	0	23	8.7

What we know

An assessment of O'Reilly's talent and future, via the always excellent Hockey's Future:

Blessed with offensive prowess, the center employs great vision and is summoned to play in all situations. O'Reilly takes very few penalties and his work ethic is high. His effort to share experiences from his professional training camp has demonstrated maturity and made him a respected leader among teammates. O'Reilly has shown that he has the playmaking ability to be an NHL center, and to create scoring chances for others. What makes him a very valuable player is his high work ethic and intelligence on the ice. He rarely takes a penalty and has a good eye for chances to push the puck up the ice on scoring breaks.

He played in 31 games this year, and had a three assist game against San Jose in February.
In front of Cal on the depth chart are, top to bottom: Jason Arnott, David Legwand, Marcel Goc, Colin Wilson, and judging by playing time, Nick Spaling. Thats five centers, of which O'Reilly would be the sixth. Spaling moves around the lineup, though, as a Jerred Smithson type player.
In his playing time, O'Reilly was often seen on the second power play unit, with varying success.

What we don't

Whether or not O'Reilly is good enough to stick at the highest level. He consistently lit up AHL defenses, but hasn't shown anything in particular that would warrant a spot in Barry Trotz's lineup.
If Dustin Boyd will be on the team. Boyd, a trade deadline acquisition and restricted free agent, fit Nashville like a glove in his short tenure, albeit somewhat inconsistently. Boyd, a center/wing hybrid, would push O'Reilly down the depth chart even further.
What, if anything, there is to do with O'Reilly other than just play him. The Predators can't reassign him to Milwaukee, as he's eligible to be picked up via waivers. Though Cal has struggled here, make no mistake: a player with his offensive instincts would be claimed in an instant. Losing him for nothing would be disastrous.

Conclusion

A center with superb vision and excellent playmaking ability. Just what the doctor ordered, right? Perhaps not. O'Reilly's been yo-yoing back and forth between leagues for two years, with little NHL success. A situation much like Rich Peverley before him, Cal might do better in another system with a different coach. My temporary solution would be to alternate between O'Reilly and Spaling in 2010-11 in order to see which young player is most ready to make an impact. If O'Reilly still can't, there's a good shot that another team would take a flyer on him in a trade. What do you think? Should the Predators start Cal full time, or maybe designate him Wade Belak's butler up in the press box?

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Comments

Solution ties in to the last one...

I was typing up a bit of stuff for this, but I realized – have we seen enough of O’Reilly to make a decision? I think we should keep the team young going forward, with one notable exception. I think O’Reilly has more upside than Spaling, but not sure if it’s in this system.

As for my speculation, I think we could do worse than a Goc, Leggy, Wilson, O’Reilly depth chart – with Spaling a two-way to be called up when necessary. Why put Goc first? He’s done well as the C for Germany, and is a better leader (and more consistent) than Leggy. If Suter or Weber is the new C, he should definitely be an A. Not to mention, he seems to be more confident as more confidence is put in him.

Then again – I don’t know if this will fly in the locker room. But looking from the outside, this is my preferred group.

by DonBorvio on May 23, 2010 8:32 AM EDT reply actions

Count them on one hand..Were are they now

It stands out that the ones who have become scorers with the exception of Erat no longer play for the Preds. Why they left is arguable, They say we couldn’t afford Hartnell, Traded Upshaw for a rental and Radulov the big money of Russian Hockey. But its clear that they all were in the Trotz Dog house for most of their playing time here in Nashville. Its pretty clear that the so called system or philosopy does not promote they style of play needed for top talent to excel. Step out of line for a game or two and you find yourself scratched, on the fourth line or back in Milkwalkee. I personally dont feel any top talent would be sucessful here in our system. I feel sorry for the up and commers we have in our system now. They will either confrom and become part of the machine or end up traded and become better players.
Better for them but a let down for we the fans.

by DHack on May 23, 2010 9:30 AM EDT reply actions

some good points there

I’d point out, however, that of those four that I mentioned, only Erat plays consistent, defensively sound hockey. Thats Barry Trotz’s system, and if you refuse to play both ways like Radulov struggled with then you won’t be long for the lineup. Its a system, when instituted properly, that works wonders – look at Chicago. Toews, Sharp, and Hossa are premier two way forwards in the league, and on the cusp of the SCF. Detroit before them has Datsyuk and Zetterberg, clearly the envy of anyone. I’m not saying our guys are close to that, but its the same idea.

Here’s guessing that we wouldn’t be as much of a team if, say, Ilya Kovalchuk roamed the right side of Jason Arnott. That line would immediately become a hazard to have on the ice defensively. Its no secret that if you don’t play defense first, Trotz won’t play you. Just look at JP Dumont’s nosediving ice time as an example.

How that translates to O’Reilly, I don’t know, but its certainly feasible, even likely, that Cal doesn’t commit himself to both ends of the ice like Nick Spaling obviously does. Spaling was subsequently rewarded, so hopefully O’Reilly puts the same hard work into his play this year.

On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
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by Chris Burton on May 23, 2010 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions

Developed offensive talent

Is it still too soon to put Hornqvist on that hand? I’m convinced after a 30 goal season

by Lil cutie on May 23, 2010 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions

O’Reilly’s a hard worker, but only players with a specific skill set excel in Trotz’s system. I’m not sure if Nashville will ever get the offensive dynamo it covets for that reason.

However, maybe what they need is not a 50-goal scorer, but a 30-goal scorer who also plays stellar defense. Certainly the team envisioned Legwand as that type of player, but he slumped badly last year.

Unless Trotz loosens the constraints of his system, I am not sure the Preds will ever attract or develop a pure goal scorer. But with the system they have, they may not need one if they can find a stellar two-way player.

by memphisbrando on May 23, 2010 10:26 AM EDT reply actions

so long cal

cal is peverly all over again. he may, just maybe, get a chance at camp but unless he scores at his milwaukee rate he wont play much or last long. like mentioned above he got in trotzys doghouse because of his defense and likely wont get the chance to get out. if by slim chance he gets the chance, he better score alot. i just hope hes traded rather than lost on waivers like pevs.

by predswilrule on May 23, 2010 11:31 AM EDT reply actions

Cal

If things stay the course, I don’t see the preds using him. I was really hoping to see him and hornqvist have a great year. I got half my wish. If we do move him maybe he can play with is brother in CO. Might get the best return this way.

by Mike St.Vincent on May 23, 2010 10:45 PM EDT reply actions

i think he could be a great 2nd line center for us if given the opportunity. right before the olympic break he was seeing ice time with dumont and putting up a respectable point-per-game avg. If he were given a good opportunity on 2nd line duty right out of camp he could probably break into the lineup no problem. Him with Boyd could be a good set up- finisher combo.

by flyalder on May 24, 2010 3:02 AM EDT reply actions

not a fair comparison

You can’t compare Spaling to O’Reilly— they play completely different games. Spaling has evolved into more of a defensive forward/PK specialist; which is the opposite end of the spectrum from Cal. You would use them in different situations with different expectations. Unless we lose one of the veterans to trade or injury, I don’t see Cal getting the ice time to stick/prove himself as things stand.

by darth5 on May 24, 2010 9:06 AM EDT reply actions

Sure I can. They’re both young forwards trying to find a niche and both need to work hard and adjust to earn playing time. Thus far, I’ve been significantly more impressed with Spaling.

On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
Twitter/Cycle Like the Sedins

by Chris Burton on May 24, 2010 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions