2015-16 Buffalo Sabres Grades: Cal O’Reilly

Age: 29

Contract: $700,000, under contract through 2016-17

Introduction: Cal O’Reilly was known to most simply as Ryan’s brother, and boy wasn’t it a nice story when the Sabres signed him to play in Rochester. By the time the season had ended, however, Cal had accumulated 20 games in the NHL as a reliable injury call-up, and had earned his own place in the Sabres organization.

Key Stat: For a guy who only played in 20 games and mostly on the third and fourth line, finishing with 7 points isn’t too shabby. Extrapolating that into a full season, 28 points from someone in the bottom six is a very solid year.

Thumbs Up: Cal was given a very limited role in most of his appearances in Buffalo, but performed fairly well for what he was called upon to do. Seven points and a -1 rating ain’t too shabby on a team drafting in the top ten this year. There must be something in the water on the O’Reilly Ranch, because COR finished just behind ROR in faceoff percentage, winning 54.1% of his draws this year. He’s also very courteous, taking only one minor penalty this season, the fewest for any player who’s getting a report card.

Thumbs Down: I know he only played in 20 games, but Cal doesn’t accumulate too many stats outside of points. His hits and blocked shots per game are some of the lowest on the team, he only took ten total shots in those 20 games, and didn’t see any kind of special teams time. At age 29, we’ve certainly seen his peak as a player, and if he’s not accumulating any of those stats like a traditional third/fourth liner and not being used any specific capacity otherwise, does he truly have a place in the NHL beyond injury call-up?

Memorable Moment: On March 31, Cal scored twice, including this missile of a shot, in a victory over the Maple Leafs.

Voting: Using the good old grade school system of A, B, C, D, F, with A representing a great season (for the Sabres) C an average season, and F a very poor season, grade Cal O’Reilly on his performance this year.

Grade Cal O’Reilly on his 2015-16 season.