Drew O'Connor - Page 3 - NHL News & Rumors

Moved in trade Friday O'Connor and Marcus Pettersson were traded to the Canucks from the Penguins on Friday in exchange for Danton Heinen, Vincent Desharnais, Melvin Fernstrom and a conditional first-ro...

Impact O'Connor will be an addition for the Canucks' middle six, but he's not the highlight of the trade. The 26-year-old has produced 16 points, 82 shots on net, 51 hits, 40 blocked shots and a minus-14 rating over 53 appearances with the Penguins. O'Connor had 33 points in 79 outings in 2023-24, so perhaps a change of scenery will unlock a bit more offense. He could also play alongside fellow Friday trade acquisition Filip Chytil, who is a strong upgrade over the combination of Lars Eller, Cody Glass and Kevin Hayes that centered the third line in Pittsburgh.

FEBRUARY 1, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Goal, assist in win Thursday O'Connor recorded a goal and an assist in Thursday's 5-3 win over the Oilers. He also notched two shots on goal, one hit and a plus-2 rating.

Impact O'Connor recorded a multi-point effort for the second time across his last five appearances, a span in which he's tallied three goals and two assists. The 26-year-old center is going through his most productive stretch of the campaign, but he's not expected to have a lot of fantasy opportunities due to his bottom-six role.

JANUARY 10, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Lends helper in overtime loss O'Connor notched an assist in Sunday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Hurricanes.

Impact O'Connor has earned three points over his last three outings. The 26-year-old had been quiet over the previous seven contests, so there's no guarantee he'll be stable on offense going forward. He continues to play in a third-line role, though he's also picked up some power-play time lately, which gives him a better opportunity to produce. O'Connor has 13 points, 60 shots on net, 37 hits, 34 blocked shots and a minus-13 rating through 41 appearances.

JANUARY 6, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Supplies only offense in loss O'Connor scored two goals, one on the power play, in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Red Wings.

Impact His third-period tally tied the game at 2-2, but no one else stepped up with some offense for the Penguins. It was also the first power-play goal of O'Connor's career, and he's seen significant time with the man advantage in two straight games, providing a physical net-front presence to complement the skills of Sidney Crosby, Erik Karlsson and Evgeni Malkin. O'Connor has five goals and 12 points in 39 appearances this season, but if he hangs onto his new assignment he could pick up his scoring pace.

JANUARY 1, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Notches assist Thursday O'Connor produced an assist, two shots on goal, two hits and two PIM in Thursday's 9-2 win over the Canadiens.

Impact O'Connor snapped a three-game slump when he helped out on an Anthony Beauvillier goal. O'Connor has moved around the lineup at times this year, but he's mostly settled into a third-line role with the Penguins fully healthy. The 26-year-old has four helpers over his last eight games, and he's at 10 points, 50 shots on net, 32 blocked shots, 24 hits and a minus-12 rating over 31 appearances this season.

DECEMBER 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Plucks apple in win O'Connor notched an assist, two shots on goal and two blocked shots in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Canucks.

Impact O'Connor has contributed three helpers over his last six outings, a warmer stretch after his 12-game point drought from Oct. 20 to Nov. 13. The 26-year-old has gotten the occasional top-six look, but he's mostly been a third-line option this season. He's at seven points, 40 shots on net, 25 blocked shots, 19 hits, 14 PIM and a minus-13 rating over 24 appearances.

NOVEMBER 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up helper O'Connor logged an assist, two shots on goal and two PIM in Friday's 6-2 loss to the Blue Jackets.

Impact O'Connor endured a 12-game point drought prior to Friday, posting a minus-13 rating and 20 shots on net in that span. The 26-year-old has been a middle-six fixture for the Penguins, but the team's lack of consistency on offense has made O'Connor a poor scorer for fantasy. He's at five points, 31 shots on net, 18 blocked shots, 12 hits, 12 PIM and a minus-14 rating through 19 appearances.

NOVEMBER 16, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Scores in Friday's loss O'Connor scored a goal in Friday's 4-1 loss to the Hurricanes.

Impact O'Connor opened the scoring for the Penguins midway through the first period, but the Hurricanes would score four unanswered goals to flip the script entirely. O'Connor has recorded points in back-to-back games for the first time this season, and he's found the back of the net three times over his last five appearances, providing solid numbers for a middle-six forward. O'Connor is coming off a career-best campaign in 2023-24 after posting 16 goals and 33 points across 79 regular-season contests.

OCTOBER 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Racks up two points Wednesday O'Connor scored a shorthanded goal and added an assist in Wednesday's 6-5 overtime win over the Sabres.

Impact O'Connor's two points helped the Penguins erase a 3-1 deficit in the second period. He's received some top-six looks but has spent time on the third line as well, which isn't ideal for his offense given the Penguins' shaky depth. O'Connor has three points, seven shots on net, four hits and five blocked shots over five appearances and will have a lower ceiling as long as he remains out of contention for a power-play role.

OCTOBER 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Tickles twine in win O'Connor scored a goal on three shots in Thursday's 6-3 win over the Red Wings.

Impact O'Connor put the Penguins ahead 3-1 in the second period. He played on the second line in this contest after earning a spot on Sidney Crosby's wing versus the Rangers on Opening Night. O'Connor emerged as a useful complementary forward last year with 33 points, 160 shots on net and a plus-14 rating in 79 appearances. The 26-year-old will have fantasy appeal in deeper formats as long as he stays in the top six, but that's no guarantee once Bryan Rust (lower body) returns from injured reserve.

OCTOBER 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Puts up career numbers O'Connor set new personal bests in games (79), goals (16) and assists (17) this season while averaging 15:45 of ice time.

Impact It was a career year for O'Connor that was bolstered by the departure of Jake Guentzel. With an opening on the top line, it was O'Connor who found himself playing on Sidney Crosby's left wing. In that spot, the 25-year-old winger registered 12 of his 33 points this year. Unless the Penguins add a top-six winger in free agency, O'Connor should start 2024-25 in that role as well.

APRIL 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Two-point effort in loss O'Connor scored a shorthanded goal on three shots, added an assist, went plus-2 and blocked two shots in Saturday's 6-4 loss to the Bruins.

Impact O'Connor scored for a third straight game and earned his first multi-point effort since March 14. The 25-year-old's hard-working style has earned him looks in a top-line role, and it continues to pay off. He's up to 16 goals, 33 points, 158 shots on net, 53 hits, 57 blocked shots and a plus-14 rating through 77 outings overall. O'Connor had a total of 17 points in 78 games across his first three seasons combined.

APRIL 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Scores goal in win O'Connor scored a goal on three shots in an overtime win versus Detroit on Thursday.

Impact O'Connor has goals in back-to-back games, racking up five tallies in his last nine outings. The 25-year-old center has been thriving playing on Sidney Crosby's line following the departure of Jake Guentzel. On the year, the New Jersey native has set personal bests in goals (15), assists (16) and should (155).

APRIL 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Goal in Monday's loss O'Connor scored a goal on four shots in Monday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Maple Leafs.

Impact O'Connor forced overtime with a goal 13:38 into the third period, swiping a loose puck past Ilya Samsonov to tie the game 2-2. It's the first goal and second point in five games for O'Connor after he scored in his previous three contests. The 25-year-old forward is up to 14 goals and 30 points, both career highs, through 75 games this season. O'Connor should offer some upside down the stretch while playing on Pittsburgh's top line with Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust.

APRIL 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Scores again Thursday O'Connor scored a goal on four shots in Thursday's 3-2 win over the Blue Jackets.

Impact O'Connor has goals in back-to-back games for just the second time this season. Even with the acquisition of Michael Bunting, it's been O'Connor who has found himself playing with Sidney Crosby the most following the departure of Jake Guentzel. The 25-year-old O'Connor has already set new personal bests in goals (12), assists (15), shots (137) and games played (69) this season.

MARCH 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to lineup O'Connor had two shots and two hits in Tuesday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Senators.

Impact After missing the last three games due to a concussion, O'Connor returned to his regular spot on the wing on the second line being centered by Evgeni Malkin. O'Connor finished with two shots, two hits and an even rating in 18:07 of ice time. The 25-year old winger only has six points since the All-Star break and even though he is playing second-line minutes, he is not a player that can be relied upon for production. He did not see any power-play time tonight.

MARCH 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Ready to rock O'Connor (concussion) will play Tuesday against Ottawa.

Impact O'Connor will skate on the second line following his three-game absence. He has accounted for nine goals, 21 points and 110 shots on net over 60 games this season.

MARCH 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Game-time call Tuesday O'Connor (concussion) will be a game-time decision versus the Senators on Tuesday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact O'Connor took the ice in a second-lone role alongside Evgeni Malkin and Reilly Smith at the game-day skate, so all signs seem to point to his involvement Tuesday. The -year-old New Jersey native is currently mired in a five-game pointless streak during which he's managed just five shots. Despite the recent slump, O'Connor has already set career highs this season in goals (nine), assists (12) and games played (60).

MARCH 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Still sidelined O'Connor (concussion) won't play Sunday versus the Oilers.

Impact It'll be the third game O'Connor's missed since suffering a concussion in Tuesday's win over Columbus. The 25-year-old center has nine goals and 21 points in 60 games this season. Noel Acciari is expected to center Pittsburgh's fourth line in O'Connor's absence.

MARCH 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Won't return Saturday O'Connor (concussion) isn't expected to play Saturday versus Boston.

Impact It will be Pittsburgh's second straight game without O'Connor. He has nine goals and 21 points in 60 outings in 2023-24. The 25-year-old will likely serve in a middle-six capacity once he's healthy.

MARCH 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out versus Caps O'Connor (concussion) will not be in the lineup against Washington on Thursday, Penguins play-by-play announcer Josh Getzoff reports.

Impact With O'Connor on the shelf, the Penguins will need at least one of Noel Acciari (upper body) or Jansen Harkins (upper body), who were both deemed game-time decisions, to slot into the lineup. Otherwise, the club will need to recall another forward from the minors. Even with his injury, O'Connor has already set new personal bests in goals (nine), assists (12) and games played (60).

MARCH 7, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers concussion O'Connor left Tuesday's game versus the Blue Jackets due to a concussion.

Impact O'Connor didn't play after the first period. He will be out until he is able to pass the concussion protocol. The Penguins may need to call up a forward, as they only have 11 healthy forwards on the roster since Jansen Harkins (upper body) and Noel Acciari (upper body) are also injured.

MARCH 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Two points vs. Habs O'Connor tallied a goal and an assist in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Canadiens.

Impact O'Connor set up Kris Letang's tally in the first period before adding a goal of his own in the second, beating Cayden Primeau with a wrister to extend Pittsburgh's lead to 3-1. O'Connor now has goals in back-to-back games and five points (two goals, three assists) in his last five contests following a seven-game point drought. The 25-year-old forward is up to a career-best 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists) through 54 games this season.

FEBRUARY 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Collects helper O'Connor provided an assist and two shots on goal in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Blackhawks.

Impact O'Connor has assists in consecutive games after going seven contests without a point. He set up Reilly Smith for a first-period marker Thursday, with that tally being the game-winner. O'Connor has played a middle-six role this season, logging 17 points, 93 shots on net and a plus-7 rating through 51 outings overall. That's unlikely to be enough offense to get him on the radar in most fantasy formats.

FEBRUARY 16, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Credited with game-winning goal O'Connor scored a goal in Monday's 3-0 home victory against the Kraken.

Impact O'Connor opened the scoring at 0:49 of the second period with helpers to Bryan Rust and Evgeni Malkin. Since the Kraken didn't score, O'Connor was credited with the first game-winning goal of his career through 120 NHL games. His six goals also mark a new career best for the 25-year-old left wing. He'll look to carry over the momentum into Saturday's road game against the Golden Knights.

JANUARY 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

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