Life just got a little bit better and richer for one particular London Knight centerman.
On Monday, the Edmonton Oilers announced they had signed Sam O’Reilly to a three-year entry-level contract valued at $964,000 annually.
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The Oilers selected O’Reilly as the last pick (32nd overall) of the first round in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
Originally, Edmonton didn’t have a pick in the first round and made a trade at the last second on the draft floor, dealing away their 2025 first-round pick (top 12 protected), so they could select the OHL forward.
Related: Sam O’Reilly Drafted 32nd Overall by Edmonton; A Two-way, Power Forward in the Making
In his contract, Sam can earn up to $95,000 in the first year, $96,000 in the second year, and $97,500 in the third year as signing bonuses.
After playing a full year in the GOJHL with the London Nationals during the 2022-23 season, and performing as one of the league’s best players, O’Reilly earned a full-time spot on London’s roster last season, becoming an incredibly important piece to their championship-winning roster.
He followed in similar footsteps in his draft season as his teammate and Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan.
In the early parts of the scouting season, O’Reilly wasn’t a top name in draft rankings. NHL Central Scouting gave him a “C” rating on their preliminary players to watch list for the 2024 draft, meaning they originally saw him as a future fourth to seventh-rounder.
That quickly changed, however. The Vaughan Kings alumnus shot up to a midterm ranking of No. 40 amongst North American skaters due to his competitive 200-foot playstyle and excellent skills as a shutdown centerman.
Related: Los Angeles Kings First-Rounder Dominating The OHL To Start The Season
His performance consistently improved during the Knights’ playoff run and the Memorial Cup, demonstrating his ability to increase physicality in critical moments while contributing offensively without neglecting his defensive responsibilities.
O’Reilly is back with London after having a strong summer and impressing the Oilers brass during training camp. He appeared in four pre-season games for Edmonton and scored one goal.
The Oilers organization needs young talent to push for NHL roles every year due to the team being so close to the salary cap limit.
O’Reilly may not possess the elite offensive talent of players like Liam Greentree or Easton Cowan, but he could be just one to two years away from making the NHL due to his professional habits, attention to detail, and defensive skills.
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