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The Nashville Predators make great preseason moment with Ryan and Cal O'Reilly

The O'Reilly brothers skate together at least one more time in front of their parents, suiting up for the Nashville Predators preseason game against the Panthers.

ByMatthew Maratea|
Apr 23, 2024; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Nashville Predators forward Ryan O'Reilly (90) during a stop in play against the Vancouver Canucks in the third period in game two of the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Apr 23, 2024; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Nashville Predators forward Ryan O'Reilly (90) during a stop in play against the Vancouver Canucks in the third period in game two of the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images | Bob Frid-Imagn Images

The NHL preseason typically comes and goes without much fanfare. The Nashville Predators have a few questions to answer for their upcoming season, but before that happens they were able to create a special moment that will last for a family forever.

We're all big fans of Ryan O'Reilly. One of the Predators top players, O'Reilly is expected to have a big season with some of the added offensive support as he and the Predators are ready to navigate to the top of the league.

Ryan O'Reilly gets to suit up with older brother Cal O'Reilly

People can forget, or might not have made the connection that Cal O'Reilly, who played for the Predators from 2008-09 till the 2011-12 season and came back as an AHL hand for the Admirals last season and is back again this year, is Ryan's older brother.

We saw some of what Ryan O'Reilly brings to the table last season. His long career has seen him surpass the 1,000 games mark (1,073), put up consistent offensive numbers (282 goals and 489 assists for 771 points), become a Stanley Cup champion, win the Conn Smythe Trophy for playoffs MVP, the Frank J Selke Trophy for best defensive forward, and the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for most gentlemanly player. He's put together a highly decorated career.

Cal O'Reilly hasn't had the same NHL success, but he has played 145 NHL games, racking up 49 points (16 goals, 33 assists) over appearances with five teams.

What Cal O'Reilly has been is one of the most prolific scorers in AHL history. Going into this season he's 24th all-time in points with 734. He could easily move into the top-20 this season and is already sixth all-time in assists, and will be top-10 in games played at some point this season. He's a shoo-in for the AHL Hall of Fame.

The brothers had a chance to play together in Buffalo back in 2015-16 and 2016-17 for the Buffalo Sabers, realizing not only their own dreams, but also for their parents. The problem with the NHL though is that it is a very fast-moving business. You never know when it is the last game or the last time you get to play with your brother. That's what made the Predators' preseason game against the Florida Panthers on Sunday so special.

Ryan and Cal O'Reilly didn't just play together, but played on the same line, with their parents in attendance for the game. In a sport that creates brothers out of teammates, getting to play with your brother in the twilight of their careers (Cal is turning 38 next week and Ryan is 33) has to be incredibly special. The Predators made a simple move and created a moment that the O'Reilly family is going to remember from here on out. It is another signal that the organization not only is being run very well but shows that the players are being considered at every turn.

It shows that in the hockey business, family still counts for something.

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