Rick Sadowski: O'Reilly eager for preseason debut at left wing

Rick Sadowski: O'Reilly eager for preseason debut at left wing
- Rick Sadowski

Saw picture of O'reilly, figured it was a Garf blog...

Saw picture of O'reilly, figured it was a Garf blog...
- Rally_Shots

ROTFL, that makes so much sense its disgusting.

Great blog Rick, even though there isn't a ton of Avs fans on here we appreciate
every blog.

Thanks!

I haven't heard a coach speak that highly of a player in a long time. If Bigras is playing at the level he has been it makes Elliot expendable.

I haven't heard a coach speak that highly of a player in a long time. If Bigras is playing at the level he has been it makes Elliot expendable.
- Meeqsb

I didn't think Elliot was going to be start the season with us regardless, roster spot may not be there and he needs to be rebuilt and pumped up in the AHL for a bit, he just seems like a guy whose confidence is broken.

And especially with the emgerence of Bigras, he very much could be. The first 9 games of the season will be interesting of what they do with him if he makes the open night roster.

Johnson, Bigras, Hejda, Barrie, Sarich, Benoit would be my guess, wilson would be in the box if he is healthy, give him more time to rest.

I didn't think Elliot was going to be start the season with us regardless, roster spot may not be there and he needs to be rebuilt and pumped up in the AHL for a bit, he just seems like a guy whose confidence is broken.

And especially with the emgerence of Bigras, he very much could be. The first 9 games of the season will be interesting of what they do with him if he makes the open night roster.

Johnson, Bigras, Hejda, Barrie, Sarich, Benoit would be my guess, wilson would be in the box if he is healthy, give him more time to rest.
- DDM-Coga

I mean for trade. Having Bigras and Barrie would be enough, no need for a 3rd similar player.

I mean for trade. Having Bigras and Barrie would be enough, no need for a 3rd similar player.
- Meeqsb

Bigras isn't like Barrie and Elliott, hes more of a two way guy and hes left handed. No one is expendable until we know more.

Bigras's offensive upside is also questionable. He could be Suter or Kieth or he could be more of a shutdown defender. No telling at this point, so you might want to hold your horses.

Bigras isn't like Barrie and Elliott, hes more of a two way guy and hes left handed. No one is expendable until we know more.

Bigras's offensive upside is also questionable. He could be Suter or Kieth or he could be more of a shutdown defender. No telling at this point, so you might want to hold your horses.
- Steve-B

Bigras is a two way player with an amazing transition game while Barrie and Elliot are more offensive. It is still too early to tell which of the latter will turn out better however atm it is Barrie. While playing one per line is always possible, bottom pairing Dmen aren't always they hardest thing to find and having all 3 makes one of them tradable with Elliot being the clear choice.

Just throwing out idea's

you dont trade any of them yet, as we have a few Dmen with expiring contracts after this season. Best bet is to use the season to evaluate what we have with Barrie, Elliot, Bigras and Siemens, then trade one of them or two, along with which ever Centreman they will let go (O'Reilly or Stastny) and get another top notch winger to play TOP 6 minutes next season.

This year hasnt even started and I can see next year's team even better.

Tanguay Duchene (player acquired via trade/UFA)
Landy Mack PAP
McGinn O'Reilly(I think Stastny will go he's older) Downie
McLeod Mitchell Bordi

not sure if Tanguay will be around next year, but for now as there is no one else

Johnson Bigras Elliot Barrie Siemens Hejda Wilson

you dont trade any of them yet, as we have a few Dmen with expiring contracts after this season. Best bet is to use the season to evaluate what we have with Barrie, Elliot, Bigras and Siemens, then trade one of them or two, along with which ever Centreman they will let go (O'Reilly or Stastny) and get another top notch winger to play TOP 6 minutes next season.

This year hasnt even started and I can see next year's team even better.

Tanguay Duchene (player acquired via trade/UFA)
Landy Mack PAP
McGinn O'Reilly(I think Stastny will go he's older) Downie
McLeod Mitchell Bordi

not sure if Tanguay will be around next year, but for now as there is no one else

Johnson Bigras Elliot Barrie Siemens Hejda Wilson
- 10baci

If ROR stays it will be as a 1st line winger, not 3rd line center...If Stastny goes it will be for picks or D and the UFA will slot in as our 3rd line C (unless someone from the A/Mitchell is ready to center a 3rd line)

you dont trade any of them yet, as we have a few Dmen with expiring contracts after this season. Best bet is to use the season to evaluate what we have with Barrie, Elliot, Bigras and Siemens, then trade one of them or two, along with which ever Centreman they will let go (O'Reilly or Stastny) and get another top notch winger to play TOP 6 minutes next season.

This year hasnt even started and I can see next year's team even better.

Tanguay Duchene (player acquired via trade/UFA)
Landy Mack PAP
McGinn O'Reilly(I think Stastny will go he's older) Downie
McLeod Mitchell Bordi

not sure if Tanguay will be around next year, but for now as there is no one else

Johnson Bigras Elliot Barrie Siemens Hejda Wilson
- 10baci

Tanguay has 3 years on his current contract, we definely will have him for the next 2 seaons. And I agree as mentioned, if O'Reilly sticks he is going to be a top 6 winger, he has shown he is better than a 3rd line center. If we can sign Stastny for a cheap extention, I wouldnt mind him having as the 3rd line center instead.

The odd man out in my opinion would be McGinn if we are looking for an upgrade on wing,

I mean for trade. Having Bigras and Barrie would be enough, no need for a 3rd similar player.
- Meeqsb

I dont want to trade any young dmen, we did that once claiming Shattenkirk was expendable bc we had Barrie in the mix, look at how that turned out for us.

We keep them until they are definetly at the type of players they are.

Tanguay has 3 years on his current contract, we definely will have him for the next 2 seaons. And I agree as mentioned, if O'Reilly sticks he is going to be a top 6 winger, he has shown he is better than a 3rd line center. If we can sign Stastny for a cheap extention, I wouldnt mind him having as the 3rd line center instead.

The odd man out in my opinion would be McGinn if we are looking for an upgrade on wing,
- DDM-Coga

I still like the idea of 3 strong lines and having ROR centering McGinn and Downie, they would probably be the best 2way line in the league..but i guess you cant have you're 3rd line Cman making 6.5million a year !!! stupid Feaster ! ! ! ! ! !

I still like the idea of 3 strong lines and having ROR centering McGinn and Downie, they would probably be the best 2way line in the league..but i guess you cant have you're 3rd line Cman making 6.5million a year !!! stupid Feaster ! ! ! ! ! !
- 10baci

It would be the best 3rd line in hockey, but it just ain't gonna happen

I still like the idea of 3 strong lines and having ROR centering McGinn and Downie, they would probably be the best 2way line in the league..but i guess you cant have you're 3rd line Cman making 6.5million a year !!! stupid Feaster ! ! ! ! ! !
- 10baci

Oh I am sure we can, but we will eventually have to be a top cap spending team with little being spent on our D and Goalie situation if we did that.

But lets see how his new contract situation will shake out, I dont know too much on how the qualifying offer will work. New management New player attitude, he could sign a team friendly contract extension if we likes playing for Roy instead of just using his rights for a 1 year qualifier.

It would be the best 3rd line in hockey, but it just ain't gonna happen
- CincyAvsFan

I do love the move of trying him on the wing, its a cheaper option than trying to sign a UFA top 6 winger and it gives him a long term viability with the team if he can play wing or center.

people saying the wing might take away from his 2-way game, just look at datsyuk who plays C and LW as well, its nice to have that sort of flexbility in your line up, good coaches will take advantage of that

Oh I am sure we can, but we will eventually have to be a top cap spending team with little being spent on our D and Goalie situation if we did that.

But lets see how his new contract situation will shake out, I dont know too much on how the qualifying offer will work. New management New player attitude, he could sign a team friendly contract extension if we likes playing for Roy instead of just using his rights for a 1 year qualifier.
- DDM-Coga

correct me if im wrong, but as a result of his current deal, doesnt this translate into the AVS having to make him a qualifiing offer of $6.5million? If this is the case then he would be the highest paid player on the team.....so with that being said, perhaps Stastny stays and ROR gets traded? gonna be an interesting year to say the least
GO AVS GO

correct me if im wrong, but as a result of his current deal, doesnt this translate into the AVS having to make him a qualifiing offer of $6.5million? If this is the case then he would be the highest paid player on the team.....so with that being said, perhaps Stastny stays and ROR gets traded? gonna be an interesting year to say the least
GO AVS GO
- 10baci

you are correct, but he can agree to a deal before that QO is necessary for less

correct me if im wrong, but as a result of his current deal, doesnt this translate into the AVS having to make him a qualifiing offer of $6.5million? If this is the case then he would be the highest paid player on the team.....so with that being said, perhaps Stastny stays and ROR gets traded? gonna be an interesting year to say the least
GO AVS GO
- 10baci

thats how I understand it as well, next years salary has to be 6.5m at least, but with how contracts can be structured now, there cant be a difference of more than 50% bw the first and last year of the contract, and no more than 30% difference between years....so lets say just for example they gave him a 6 year extention..the years could be something like 6.5, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6.5... so thats a 5.65 cap hit going forward.

you are correct, but he can agree to a deal before that QO is necessary for less
- CincyAvsFan

ok wait, so what you're saying is. So the AVS and O'Reilly's camp can work out a new deal between now and the end of the season and the $$$ can be what ever they want? it doesnt have to start at 6.5million? the only way it has to be 6.5 million is if it gets to the offseason. wow thats even more intersting.
if thats correct, if they cant sign a new deal by the trade deadline, I would suspect O'Reilly will be shipped out....i dont believe they want him earning $6.5/per, do they?

ok wait, so what you're saying is. So the AVS and O'Reilly's camp can work out a new deal between now and the end of the season and the $$$ can be what ever they want? it doesnt have to start at 6.5million? the only way it has to be 6.5 million is if it gets to the offseason. wow thats even more intersting.
if thats correct, if they cant sign a new deal by the trade deadline, I would suspect O'Reilly will be shipped out....i dont believe they want him earning $6.5/per, do they?
- 10baci

I believe that the 6.5 figure would only come into play when retaining his rights (since he is still RFA), however he is still under contract right now and free to negotiate any deal he wants, not sure how the new CBA figures into that though

I am pretty sure Calvin Pickard is from Winnipeg, MB.

ok wait, so what you're saying is. So the AVS and O'Reilly's camp can work out a new deal between now and the end of the season and the $$$ can be what ever they want? it doesnt have to start at 6.5million? the only way it has to be 6.5 million is if it gets to the offseason. wow thats even more intersting.
if thats correct, if they cant sign a new deal by the trade deadline, I would suspect O'Reilly will be shipped out....i dont believe they want him earning $6.5/per, do they?
- 10baci

This may help:

Year-to-year, a player's salary may not increase or decrease by more than 35 percent, and his salary may not dip below 50 percent of its highest value. Example: if a player makes $10 million in his first year, he can make no less than $6.5 million in Year 2, and at no point during the term of his contract is he allowed to make less than $5 million. Again, the league had ideally wanted stricter variance rules, but settled for 35 percent year-to-year and 50 percent over the term of the contract.


That's from the new CBA, but it does not have a restriction on the first year of the contract, so from this I assume that ROR could sign a contract for any amount he wishes

I believe that the 6.5 figure would only come into play when retaining his rights (since he is still RFA), however he is still under contract right now and free to negotiate any deal he wants, not sure how the new CBA figures into that though
- CincyAvsFan

I think 6.5 is a manditory for next season, to retain his RFA rights he needs to recieve that base salary. This is from an article breaking it down the situation.

"the Avalanche could file for ‘cut-down’ arbitration in the hopes that they can retain O'Reilly at a lower price than his $6.5 million 2013-14 salary. 'Cut-down' arbitration is a rarely-used CBA provision that allows teams to file for arbitration with the hopes of giving their player a pay cut of up to 15%.So the lowest possible salary he could get at arbitration would be $5.525 million"

Its a very messy contract situation, too many parts moving to figure it out.

But I have no idea what happens to all that if we sign him to an extension that takes him to UFA status...we need to hire a laywer to figure this out for us

ok, now that the contract stuff is somewhat clear. What is ROR worth?

as of now, not the 6.5 he's making. But if he leads the team this year in points and they make the playoffs, will he hold firm and demand he be paid 6.5per.

IF they make the playoffs and he's the leading point getter on this team, then i say give him the money, they have the cap space.