well, in a way he's right. O'Reilly is an upgrade right now, but not a huge one. He's basically a mid-50s point player, pretty solid defensively. Tougher than Bozak. Bozak is about the same offensively (and don't tell me his line carries him, because Bozak plays on a great line too), pretty good defensively (that's why he's on that line), just not that tough. Solid on faceoffs though.

The difference is that Bozak is in his prime, and not getting any better. We've just scratched the surface on O'Reilly, and he is still growing as a player. A 70 to 80 point centre is fully possible. Those saying that he's just a second line centre seem to forget he's just 22. Still lots of upside on this kid.

So, if you want to look at right now, he's not that much better. In a couple of years though, I think it's a possible landslide win for RoR.
- prock

I agree. O'Reilly could play #1 center and be effective on many teams. If you have a team like Boston, that has three very good lines, a guy like O'Reilly would be very effective on any of lines. He would be a very strong fit for the Leafs and plays the intense game Carlyle wants from his players.

This is true, Buffalo's blue line is still very green... They need at least one vet there to try and stabilize the ship.

Ehrhoff is that guy, and he's already locked in for the long haul. I'd keep him around.



If anything, try trading Myers to Winnapeg for Evander Kane...

Then replace Myers with Aaron Ekblad.
- SuperCat

Not bad.

Not sure Myers gets you Evander Kane. But, the first round pick overall would be enough!

How the hell is Enroth going to help Edmonton in net? That's rediculous. The asking price for Gagner is a lot more than just Enroth.
- mbxiphos1527

the asking price is indeed a lot more and that's exactly why the Oilers will neve be able to move him.

He's soft and past the halfway point he has about 7 goals, and i think 11 or so assists....those aren't top 6 forward numbers for a decent team so to think you're going to get a top 6 in return is unrealistic

Trade ROR, he had one good year playing next to Landy and he wants everyone to remember it!! He is putting up points playing next to Duchene and getting a lot of power play time. He's not a good left winger, watch a game and you'd realize his play on the boards is horrible. He's the 5 best center on this team behind, Duchene, Stastny, MacKinnon and Mitchell. Move him and maybe Sarich for either a true left winger or some good D help.

This is true, Buffalo's blue line is still very green... They need at least one vet there to try and stabilize the ship.

Ehrhoff is that guy, and he's already locked in for the long haul. I'd keep him around.



If anything, try trading Myers to Winnapeg for Evander Kane...

Then replace Myers with Aaron Ekblad.
- SuperCat

yea because the jets are really going to trade their star forward for another dman, because that is exactly what they need, considering they have byfuglien, enstrom, trouba, bogosian, etc.

no wonder people make fun of the users on this site.

No way they are moving O"Reilly, and they dont have to pay him more than Duchene.

One year's Salaray at 6.5m dosent mean he will make more on a long term contract. Get your facts straight. And O'Reilly is worth it, hes a stud and only getting better
- DDM-Coga

Statsny is also in the last year of his contract. Can't lose both..

If I'm the incoming GM looking to deliver my boss (Pegula) his bell cow (Miller), I'm trying to sell Miller on a blueprint that looks like the ones in LA, Stl, & Chi...

Meaning, I tell Millsy we are going to build him a world class defensive corps to play behind. One with all the bells and whistles (size, muscle, awareness & skill).



Myers, Ristolinen, Zadorov, & McNabb bring the size. Erhoff & Pysyk bring some slick puck skills...

But something is still missing, and that's Arron Ekblad!


Yup... If I'm trying to keep Miller, I tell him were going all out to bring Ekblad to Buffalo!
- SuperCat

You're well on your way then...

Hes a 2nd line Center or a first line winger, he plays both and always top of the league when it comes to take aways. 60 points, strong on the draw, and a 2 way stud, whats not the to like. Who cares if he isnt a 80 pt producing center, does that make Bergeron any less valuable?
- DDM-Coga

first line winger? uhh....right. o'reilly is a great second line two way center, he is only playing wing because of the avs depth on C.

If I'm the incoming GM looking to deliver my boss (Pegula) his bell cow (Miller), I'm trying to sell Miller on a blueprint that looks like the ones in LA, Stl, & Chi...
Meaning, I tell Millsy we are going to build him a world class defensive corps to play behind. One with all the bells and whistles (size, muscle, awareness & skill).



Myers, Ristolinen, Zadorov, & McNabb bring the size. Erhoff & Pysyk bring some slick puck skills...

But something is still missing, and that's Arron Ekblad!


Yup... If I'm trying to keep Miller, I tell him were going all out to bring Ekblad to Buffalo!
- SuperCat

Or he could just go play for one of those teams that has actually done it vs. talking about doing it.

Not gonna lie, I'd love to see Buffalo get 1st and draft Eklbad over Reinhart and Edmonton keep the 2nd pick despite likely trying to shop the pick and draft Reinhart.
- Nucker101

I bet you if the Sabres get the 1st overall, they are sure to draft Reinhart!
We need offense, our defense is going to be all set!

first line winger? uhh....right. o'reilly is a great second line two way center, he is only playing wing because of the avs depth on C.
- sensnucksnocups

As a 22 year old, moving from center to wing, and for the first time playing wing in his career, being on a close to 30g 30a pace is pretty good.

Unless we all assumed he's peaked...

No, hes not a great 1st liner. As of today, hes an acceptable 1st liner.

Hes also playing wing because his skills allow him to translate easier to wing than Duchene or Stastny would.

As a 22 year old, moving from center to wing, and for the first time playing wing in his career, being on a close to 30g 30a pace is pretty good.

Unless we all assumed he's peaked...

No, hes not a great 1st liner. As of today, hes an acceptable 1st liner.

Hes also playing wing because his skills allow him to translate easier to wing than Duchene or Stastny would.
- eddieavs

he's on pace for 55 points which is not what anyone would expect from a 1st line winger that you will be paying 6.5M for. not denying he's a great second liner (still not worth 6.5) but calling him a 1st liner is a joke.

he's on pace for 55 points which is not what anyone would expect from a 1st line winger that you will be paying 6.5M for. not denying he's a great second liner (still not worth 6.5) but calling him a 1st liner is a joke.
- sensnucksnocups

Well, it hasnt been determined that he will be payed 6.5M going forward. Either way, whether hes paid 1 M or 10M, his salary shouldnt determine whether hes a first liner or not, only his play and results matter.

But again, I ask, because it wasnt answered.

Whats considered a first liner these days?

Well, it hasnt been determined that he will be payed 6.5M going forward. Either way, whether hes paid 1 M or 10M, his salary shouldnt determine whether hes a first liner or not, only his play and results matter.

But again, I ask, because it wasnt answered.

Whats considered a first liner these days?
- eddieavs

i agree salary doesnt mean anything when determining their role. but his offensive production and his defensive play has clearly shown he is not a 1st liner. he is still young so he could obviously become one someday but it won't be in colorado and i highly doubt it will happen anywhere else. he just doesnt have the skillset to be a #1C, the avs of all people would know this or there wouldnt have been such a big issue with his contract.

he's on pace for 55 points which is not what anyone would expect from a 1st line winger that you will be paying 6.5M for. not denying he's a great second liner (still not worth 6.5) but calling him a 1st liner is a joke.
- sensnucksnocups

Bergeron in on pace for like 40 points. is he not considered a first liner??

it's not black and white. it's about what you bring to the team and your linemates.
oreilly is fast becoming one of the elite two way players in the game.

oreilly could fit beautifully on almost any teams first line and make it better depending on his lnemates

i agree salary doesnt mean anything when determining their role. but his offensive production and his defensive play has clearly shown he is not a 1st liner. he is still young so he could obviously become one someday but it won't be in colorado and i highly doubt it will happen anywhere else. he just doesnt have the skillset to be a #1C, the avs of all people would know this or there wouldnt have been such a big issue with his contract.
- sensnucksnocups

defensive play?

like his fantastic and physical defensive play?

some other guys said hes not an upgrade on bozak...

why would the leafs want someone that will want 6.5M next year as a QO and is not really an upgrade on bozak. maybe he supplants kadri as line 2 C and shuffles to wing on the second line if needed, but i dont see the sense in it especially if giving up a prosepct along with gardiner.

if he could be resigned at less than bozak money, then sure, but if ROR expects QO money, leafs should stay away.
- jarmstrong

Not an upgrade on BOZAK??? LMFAO

From thesounds of it, Ottawa sun was reporting that no extention talks have begun bw the 2 and he might be leaning towards open market.

Avs apparently will move him if they get a 1st and a player for him.
- DDM-Coga

ROFL!

Yeah I bet they would.

Bergeron in on pace for like 40 points. is he not considered a first liner??

it's not black and white. it's about what you bring to the team and your linemates.
oreilly is fast becoming one of the elite two way players in the game.

oreilly could fit beautifully on almost any teams first line and make it better depending on his lnemates
- hugefemale dog77

People don't seem to get this.

I would GLADLY trade Kadri and Gardiner for this guy and consider myself lucky that the price wasn't higher.

He will not be traded. Colorado would be crazy to trade him.

i agree salary doesnt mean anything when determining their role. but his offensive production and his defensive play has clearly shown he is not a 1st liner. he is still young so he could obviously become one someday but it won't be in colorado and i highly doubt it will happen anywhere else. he just doesnt have the skillset to be a #1C, the avs of all people would know this or there wouldnt have been such a big issue with his contract.
- sensnucksnocups

Well, you dodged my question as well.

In the last full NHL season, only 41 wingers had more than 55 points.

In the full season before that, only 33 wingers had more than 55 points.

His defensive play??
Youre kidding right. ROR's defensive play is what sets him apart from others. The guy gets no penalties, very few giveaways and is among the best in takeaways every year. He drives possession.

So again, I ask, whats the requirement to be considered a first liner?

They can sign a veteran in FA. Ehrhoff won't be tradeable in 3 years when he's going on 35 years old with 4 years left on his deal. You could actually get a good return for him now.
- sbroads24

I don't hate this idea, just as long as you can find a more physical version of Erhoff via FA.

But finding a guy with Ehrhoff's skill, accompanied with toughness & leadership... Is gonna be a tall order.

Now if the Sabres can trade something like Ehrhoff and Ennis to Winnapeg for Dustin Byflugien.. I'm all for it!



Get me:

Byflugien/Aaron Ekblad
Myers/Pysyk
Zadorov/Ristolinen
McNabb

..and now we're cooking with peanut oil!

I'd trade him to Phoenix for OEL. But that's me.

They need a guy like RoR. We need a guy like OEL.

Done. Please, Joe?

Not bad.

Not sure Myers gets you Evander Kane. But, the first round pick overall would be enough!
- spatso

People don't seem to get this.

I would GLADLY trade Kadri and Gardiner for this guy and consider myself lucky that the price wasn't higher.

He will not be traded. Colorado would be crazy to trade him.
- Aetherial

agreed on all counts.

I'd trade him to Phoenix for OEL. But that's me.

They need a guy like RoR. We need a guy like OEL.

Done. Please, Joe?
- DutchCanSaveUs

I would love to have RoR on the Leafs, but Phoenix is overpaying if the trade OEL for him.