Will the Avs trade O’Reilly
Will standout young center Ryan O’Reilly be under contract and available to play in the Jan. 19 season opener?
The Avalanche locker room just isn’t the same without the hardworking “Factor,” a 21-year-old unrestricted free agent who is still playing in Russia.
“Obviously he’s a big part of our team here, just how he works on the ice, how hard he works off the ice, the way he plays every night, and there’s not one guy in this room that wouldn’t say he doesn’t love Ryan O’Reilly,” Avs defenseman Shane O’Brien said after Thursday’s two-hour “captain’s” practice. “Unfortunately, it’s the contract side of the game that every fan just went through with the lockout. But I know Factor wants to be here more than anybody and as far as I know they are talking and trying to get something done.”
Rumors have swirled that O’Reilly — who led the Avs with 37 assists and 55 points last season, in addition to an NHL-high 101 takeaways — might be traded or remain playing in Russia.
Read more: Colorado Avalanche training camp may start without center Ryan O’Reilly – The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/avalanche/ci_22352379/colorado-avalanche-training-camp-may-start-without-center#ixzz2HgINa8Gm