Canucks' Drew O'Connor: Converts penalty shot in overtime
Rotowire
O'Connor scored a goal on a penalty shot, added two PIM and logged two hits in Thursday's 2-1 overtime win over the Sharks.
Macklin Celebrini hooked O'Connor 33 seconds into overtime. O'Connor made no mistake on the penalty shot for his second goal in three games as a Canuck. He's already been promoted to the second line at even strength as head coach Rick Tocchet looks for forward trios that have chemistry. O'Connor doesn't get power-play time, but he'll be a fixture in the lineup and can chip in some depth scoring. For the season, the 26-year-old has eight goals, 18 points, 91 shots on net, 55 hits, 42 blocked shots and a minus-12 rating over 56 outings between Vancouver and Pittsburgh.
... See More... See Less
Canucks' Drew O'Connor: First goal for new team
Rotowire
O'Connor scored an empty-net goal on three shots, added two hits and logged two PIM in Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Avalanche.
This was O'Connor's first goal in two appearances since the Canucks acquired him as part of the Marcus Pettersson trade last Friday. The 26-year-old has slotted into a third-line role with the Canucks, similar to what he was seeing in Pittsburgh prior to the trade. He's at seven goals, 10 assists, 85 shots on net, 53 hits, 41 blocked shots and a minus-13 rating over 55 appearances in 2024-25.
... See More... See Less
Canucks' Drew O'Connor: Moved in trade Friday
Rotowire
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-round pick.
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.
... See More... See Less
Penguins' Drew O'Connor: Goal, assist in win Thursday
Rotowire
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.
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.
... See More... See Less
Penguins' Drew O'Connor: Lends helper in overtime loss
Rotowire
O'Connor notched an assist in Sunday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Hurricanes.
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.
... See More... See Less
Penguins' Drew O'Connor: Supplies only offense in loss
Rotowire
O'Connor scored two goals, one on the power play, in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Red Wings.
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.
... See More... See Less
Penguins' Drew O'Connor: Notches assist Thursday
Rotowire
O'Connor produced an assist, two shots on goal, two hits and two PIM in Thursday's 9-2 win over the Canadiens.
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.
... See More... See Less
Penguins' Drew O'Connor: Scores in Friday's loss
Rotowire
O'Connor scored a goal in Friday's 4-1 loss to the Hurricanes.
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 outings.
... See More... See Less
Penguins' Drew O'Connor: Racks up two points Wednesday
Rotowire
O'Connor scored a shorthanded goal and added an assist in Wednesday's 6-5 overtime win over the Sabres.
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.
... See More... See Less
Penguins' Drew O'Connor: Puts up career numbers
Rotowire
O'Connor set new personal bests in games (79), goals (16) and assists (17) this season while averaging 15:45 of ice time.
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 O'Connor 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 a top-six role.
... See More... See Less
Penguins' Drew O'Connor: Two-point effort in loss
Rotowire
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.
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 he 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 has found another gear offensively in 2023-24 after earning just 17 points in 78 games across his first three seasons.
... See More... See Less
Penguins' Drew O'Connor: Scores goal in win
Rotowire
O'Connor scored a goal on three shots in an overtime win versus Detroit on Thursday.
O'Connor has goals in back-to-back games -- he's racked up five tallies in his last nine outings. The 25-year-old center has been thriving while playing on Sidney Crosby's line following the departure of Jake Guentzel. On the year, O'Connor has set personal bests in goals (15), assists (16) and shots on net (155).
... See More... See Less
Penguins' Drew O'Connor: Goal in Monday's loss
Rotowire
O'Connor scored a goal on four shots in Monday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Maple Leafs.
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.
... See More... See Less
Penguins' Drew O'Connor: Scores again Thursday
Rotowire
O'Connor scored a goal on four shots in Thursday's 3-2 win over the Blue Jackets.
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.
... See More... See Less
Penguins' Drew O'Connor: Returns to lineup
Rotowire
O'Connor had two shots and two hits in Tuesday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Senators.
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 has only six points since the All-Star break and even though he's playing second-line minutes, he is not a player that can be relied upon for consistent production. He did not see any power-play time against Ottawa.
... See More... See Less
Penguins' Drew O'Connor: Ready to rock
Rotowire
O'Connor (concussion) will play Tuesday against Ottawa.
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.
... See More... See Less
Penguins' Drew O'Connor: Game-time call Tuesday
Rotowire
O'Connor (concussion) will be a game-time decision versus the Senators on Tuesday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
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 25-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).
... See More... See Less
Penguins' Drew O'Connor: Still sidelined
Rotowire
O'Connor (concussion) won't play Sunday versus the Oilers.
O'Connor's will miss a third consecutive game since suffering a concussion in Tuesday's 5-3 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.
... See More... See Less
Penguins' Drew O'Connor: Won't return Saturday
Rotowire
O'Connor (concussion) isn't expected to play Saturday versus Boston.
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.
... See More... See Less
Penguins' Drew O'Connor: Two points vs. Habs
Rotowire
O'Connor tallied a goal and an assist in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Canadiens.
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.
