The Edmonton Oilers didn’t want to miss out on Friday’s action.
Edmonton acquired the 32nd overall pick from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for a conditional first-round pick in 2025 or 2026. Kevin Kruz of The Athletic reported that the first-round pick is top-12 protected.
Last season’s Western Conference champions then went on to select London Knights forward Sam O’Reilly with the final pick in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft.
O’Reilly recorded 20 goals and 36 assists in 68 games for the Knights last season. He also added one goal and three assists in four games at the Memorial Cup tournament.
The six-foot-one forward was ranked No. 50 in Jason Bukala’s final pre-draft rankings.
“O’Reilly is still raw in some categories,” Bukala wrote. “He’s scratching the surface of his overall ability. His small area agility and edges have room to improve, but it doesn’t hold him back at this stage of his development.”
Before the trade, the Oilers weren’t scheduled to make a selection until the 64th overall pick in the second round.