O’Reilly Trade Update
It appears that Ryan O’Reilly is on the trade block.
But Colorado Avalanche GM Joe Sakic is now saying that their goal is to sign O’Reilly prior to the season.
Sakic addressed media on Thursday and made these comments. Later followed up on twitter:
"I'd like to have [Ryan O'Reilly] signed by the start of the season, hopefully."
— Sakic
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) June 18, 2015
Positioning to increase his negotiating power or an honest statement?
Only time will tell. History is not on the side of a continued relationship. O’Reilly signed a tender with another team back in 2013 before the Avs matched it.
Keeping O’Reilly would cement a formidable lineup of forwards. But the same lineup that mysteriously went silent for large stretches in the first half of the year. And spoiled some great Varlamov performances when they couldn’t put up points.
The Avs desperately need defensive help.
My guess: O’Reilly ends up with another team by the start of the 2015-2016 season.
