Overview
- The Tampa Bay Lightning formally recalled 20-year-old prospect Sam O’Reilly and placed veteran center Brayden Point on injured reserve, a roster move announced Tuesday after Point left Sunday’s game with an undisclosed injury.
- O’Reilly practiced with Yanni Gourde and Jake Guentzel and took reps on the club’s top power-play unit, making him a likely candidate to make his NHL debut as soon as Wednesday in Buffalo.
- Reports differ slightly on O’Reilly’s AHL numbers this season, with outlets listing him at either two goals and six points or two goals and four points in 12 games for the Syracuse Crunch.
- The recall answers an immediate top-six need while giving Tampa a young center on a three-year entry-level deal reported at $936,000 per season, but the club has not set a clear timeline for Point’s return.
- O’Reilly was a 2024 first-round pick by Edmonton and was traded to Tampa Bay in July 2025 for Isaac Howard; he brings decorated OHL credentials including league and Memorial Cup MVP honors that project defensive strength and playmaking at the NHL level.