Every NHL team will have at least one representative at the 2019 All-Star Game. For the St. Louis Blues, that representation will come in the form of Ryan O’Reilly.
Through 37 games, O’Reilly leads the Blues in goals (15), assists (20) and total points (35). Those stats alone should be enough to close the book on any discussion regarding O’Reilly’s selection. Need to talk further? On we go.
O’Reilly is one of just a few players who has looked pretty good for the Blues this season. He, unlike many others, is constantly working hard out on the ice. He came to the Blues with the reputation as a player who is always trying to improve and that’s been apparent in his first season in St. Louis.
Consider these numbers from the end of 2018:
The disaster that has been this season has masked just how good the Ryan O'Reilly trade has been so far.
STL – O'Reilly:
34 pointsBUF – Sobotka/Berglund/Thompson:
16 points, 1 terminated contract.Even with draft picks that's a bright spot.#stlblues
— Frozen Notes (@FrozenNotes) December 31, 2018
There are a couple of draft picks to factor into that equation, but it’s worth noting the Blues can opt to keep their 2019 first-round pick should it be a top-10 selection. They’d then defer the pick they owe Buffalo back to 2020. Regardless, the trade has worked out fairly well for the Blues even though you could make an argument that the deal created some defensive holes.
O’Reilly has been just about everything the Blues could hope for in 2018-19. Unfortunately, as Blues fans are well aware, no one else on the roster has really lived up to the billing.
Hopefully this situation is corrected and the Blues have increased representation ahead of St. Louis hosting the 2020 All-Star Game.
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