Posts Tagged Ryan O’Reilly

NHL Draft Hits: Flames offer lacking, What the Avs need for No. 1, Sabres want to move up

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Entry Draft, NHL News, NHL Rumors on June 17th, 2013

  • Gare Joyce: On the Flames offer of all 3 1st picks for the 1st overall pick. Flames would pick Nathan MacKinnon over Seth Jones as a it’s position of need. “Trade would never get made. Picks and a player of established value, then a discussion. Otherwise non-starter.” Sean Monahan would be the Flames fallback with the 6th selection. Could look to Nashville at No. 4 to get Aleksander Barkov. The Flames don’t have ’that’ player of established value to make the deal. The Hurricanes could be the wildcard as they are not taking Valeri Nichushkin. They might take Barkov if he’s there. They are looking for immediate help.
  • Adrian Dater: Dater has heard along that if the Avalanche trade down from the 1st overall, they still want to remain in the top 3. To trade down, the Avalanche also want a very good established player or two, as well as the 2nd or 3rd overall pick. The Panthers and Lightning have the 2nd and 3rd overall picks, and are not really interested in giving up an established player plus their own pick to get the 1st overall. Dater thinks at this time, it’s more likely that the Avalanche will keep the 1st overall pick. There was no chance the Avalanche would accept the Flames offer, as they hate the Flames for the Ryan O’Reilly offer sheet.
  • John Vogl of Buffalo News: The Sabres are trying to move up from the 8th overall pick in this year’s draft, according to their director of amateur scouting, Kevin Devine, “We’re really trying to move up.” To get the No. 1 pick, the Sabres could make a deal with the Predators at No. 4, then make a deal with the Avalanche for the No. 1. The Sabres also have the No. 16 pick, a pair of 2nd round picks (No. 38 and 53), as well as Ryan Miller and Thomas Vanek.

    “The preliminary talks are that everybody’s talking about our young players to move up,” Devine said during an appearance on WGR 550 AM. “We’ve got to decide if it makes sense to move some of those players to move up. So it’s a difficult conversation, but if you’re really honed in on one guy and he can be a franchise changer, then you have to look at it.”

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Morning Hits: Rask, McDonagh, Bryzgalov, Elias, Dupuis, Stastny and the Avs draft options

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Entry Draft, NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on May 27th, 2013

  • Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: It was a “prove it” year for Tuukka Rask as he took over the No. 1 job from Tim Thomas. He was left off the Vezina Trophy ballots after posting the third best save percentage (.929) and fourth best goals-against average (2.00). Rask will be getting a nice big contract this summer and GM Peter Chiarelli thinks it’s easier to sign guys after they’ve had a successful season.

    “I’m happy for him that he’s playing well and he’s helping the team,” said Chiarelli. “It’s always easier to sign these guys after success. He’s showing some resiliency, which I like, and some durability, which I like.

    “I liked [Rask's] big saves. We had some real good games where, I’d have to go back and look, but I think we had a chance in every game.”

    Rask could be looking for a 5-6 year deal in the range of $5-$6 million per season. Comparables could be Jimmy Howard’s $5.291 million cap hit and Carey Price’s  $6.5 million cap hit.

  • Larry Brooks of the NY Post: Brooks thinks the Rangers need to lock up defenseman Ryan McDonagh before the Flyers are able to sheet him after buying out Ilya Bryzgalov. Brooks wonders if the Devils have any choice but to give Patrick Elias whatever he wants. Pascal Dupuis could be one of the most sought after free agents, but will he take less to remain with the Penguins?
  • Adrian Dater: Avs center Paul Stastny is in the last year of his deal and has a $6.6 million cap hit. Dater is sure “the Avs would get a whole lot for him.”
  • Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Nathan MacKinnon outplayed Seth Jones and Jonathan Drouin. You obviously don’t draft someone based on a couple of games. It seems like a “damned if they do, damned if they don’t” scenario on deciding between Jones and MacKinnon. Down the middle the Avs have Matt Duchene (not going anywhere), Ryan O’Reilly (can’t trade until Feb. 28th next year) and Paul Stastny (RFA after next season, could be moved). They need more help on the blueline than another young forward.

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Morning Hits: Hawks-Pens at Soldier Field, Ribeiro not thinking contract, Jets, Avalanche and Bergeron talks

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on May 2nd, 2013

  • Hockey Central: The Blackhawks will host the Penguins at Soldier Field on March 1st.
  • Stephen Whyno of the Washington Times: Capitals UFA Mike Ribeiro said he’s not worried about his next contract. He could earn his next contact with a good playoffs. He’s looking for a long-term deal and has already rejected a Capitals offer of three-years, $14 million.

    “I think playoff or not playoff, I’m probably going to have a good deal so I’m really worried about my deal right now,” Ribeiro said. “It’s going to signed at some point. So the focus since the beginning was to get to the playoffs and now that we’re here it’s about how far can we go as a team. But I’m not worried; I’m going to sign and it’s just going to happen when the time is right.”

  • Ed Tait of the Winnipeg Free Press: Jets coach Claude Noel has one year left on his contract and GM Kevin Cheveldayoff had this to say:

    “Claude Noel is the head coach of the Winnipeg Jets. He’s under contract. I know you’re going to ask me about an extension. There’s processes that have to go through, there’s different things you discuss, you talk about, you meet as a group, as a staff.”

    The Jets have nine RFAs who are  “very much priorities” according to Cheveldayoff. No formal contract discussions have taken place with RFAs: Zach Bogosian, Bryan Little, Blake Wheeler, Alex Burmistrov, Eric Tangradi, Anthony Peluso, Zach Redmond, Paul Postma and Arturs Kulda.

  • Elliotte Friedman of CBC: If the Avalanche didn’t win the lottery and get the first overall pick, there were rumors that they would look to trade up. Avs GM Greg Sherman is still with the team, but it may come down to what role Joe Sakic wants to take. If Sakic decides to take over, VP of Player Development Craig Billington could have a bigger role. If Sakic declines for family or other reasons, does Sherman remain? The Avalanche asked for Derek Stepan when they were in talks with the Rangers about Ryan O’Reilly. Sounding like the Bruins and Patrice Bergeron have already talked contract extension. He has one year left on his deal and can’t sign a deal until after July 5th.

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Morning Hits: The Avalanche, Miller’s time over in Buffalo? UFAs Brunner and Jones

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on April 22nd, 2013

  • Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Dater thinks that the Avalanche will have to trade one of their centers at some point. Paul Stastny and Ryan O’Reilly are likely the two they’ll consider trading. O’Reilly can’t be moved until Feb. 28th of next year. If the Avalanche don’t finish last and therefore the No. 1 pick, they could try to trade up. They could offer up Stastny and their first for the No. 1 pick and a roster player.
  • Jerry Sullivan of the Buffalo News: It looks like Ryan Miller’s time with the Buffalo Sabres may be at the end of the line. It’s hard to see Miller coming back next season after the way Friday’s game ended. Miller has a year left at $6 million, and there is little chance that he gets an extension from the team. He’s been very good through stretches, but only average in others. Miller said after Friday’s game that it reminded him of what Patrick Roy went through in Montreal.

    “Well, I would love to have what happened after that,” Miller said. “Just saying. It doesn’t mean I want to leave, but if that’s what you’re getting at. [Roy] won two Stanley Cups after that so, hey, why not?”

    Trading Miller would allow the Sabres to see if Jhonas Enroth could be a No. 1 goalie.

  • Brendan Savage of MLive: The Red Wings will have to figure out if they want to re-sign Damien Brunner, and if so, for how much. He started off with 10 goals and six assists in the first 19 games, but only has 1 goal and 5 assists since. GM Ken Holland said that talks were put off until the offseason. Ansar Khan thinks they should re-sign him, but possibility to a shorter term contract and maybe for in the $2.5 million per year range. Savage is thinking a 4 year, $10 million deal.
  • Robert Tychkowski of the Edmonton Sun: Oilers coach Ralph Krueger said UFA Ryan Jones needs to show that the Oilers should keep him around for next season and beyond.

    “It’s very important for us to take a really good look at Ryan Jones,” said Krueger, who scratched the winger five times this season. “Give him the opportunity to be the player he can be for the Edmonton Oilers.”

    Jones, also needs to decide if he wants to stay in Edmonton.

    “It’s a two-way street,” he said. “It’s a matter of the team trying to decide whether or not I have a role here, and also me trying to decide whether or not this is going to be a place that’s best for my career moving forward.

    “I like being here and I’m passionate about the organization, but it has to be healthy for me as a person and moving forward in my career. It’s not an automatic. It’s a two-way street and we’ll deal with it when the season ends.”

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Garrioch Rumor Roundup … No talks with Iginla … Perry to test open market? Scouting CBJ-DET and CAL-LA

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on March 10th, 2013

  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Two league executives have said that Panthers GM Dale Tallon is willing to listen to all offers as they are basically out of it. Exceptions are Jonathan Huberdeau, Erik Gudbranson, Jakob Markstrom and Drew Shore. Sources say the top name being dangled is Kris Versteeg. They had planned on shopping Stephen Weiss. The Bruins, Penguins and Canucks are looking for scoring and may have been interested.Word is that Flyers coach Peter Laviolette is safe while GM Paul Holmgren looks to make a trade.Coyotes GM Don Maloney would like to re-sign Mike Smith, but he won’t talk about a contract. He would likely sign a deal if he was assured they would be staying in Phoenix.Sources say the Avalanche aren’t thrilled about having to pay Ryan O’Reilly $6.5 million next season. He can’t be dealt until Feb. 28th, 2014.

    New Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen is working the phones trying to clean up Scott Howson’s mess. He’s been offering up center Brandon Dubinsky and his $4.2 million cap hit.

    Flames GM Jay Feaster isn’t shopping Jarome Iginla, but he’s held talks with more than one team to see what he could get. If they do move Iginla, they won’t hit a home-run in a deal.

    Among the teams looking for a defenseman: Blues, Rangers and Hurricanes. Blues looking for a top-four.

    The Senators are looking for more toughness.

    If the Ducks are to move Corey Perry, GM Bob Murray will want a “king’s ransom.” Asking  price will be a 1st round pick, two top prospects, and a roster player. Doubtful he’ll be moved. If he does, he’ll go the East with the Senators, Bruins, Penguins and Maple Leafs to show interest. None are expected to meet the asking price.

    It’s unlikely that Leafs GM Dave Nonis will mess with the team that much. UFAs Tyler Bozak and Clarke MacArthur are unlikely to go anywhere. Nonis has indicated that teams have called. Now he would have interest in moving Mike Komisarek and John-Michael Liles.

    Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford would listen to offers on left winger Jussi Jokinen.

  • Eric Francis of the Calgary Flames: According to Jarome Iginla’s agent Don Meehan, they are “not currently in negotiations” with the Flames. Meehan is waiting for instructions from Iginla on how to proceed.
  • Will DePaoli of Inside Pittsburgh Sports: With Ryan Getzlaf re-signed by the Ducks, the focus now turns to Corey Perry. He has an interest in re-signing, but many in the league think his representatives want him to test the open market. The Ducks realize this and will consider trading him if their contract talks don’t progress well. Dreger said that the Kings, Flyers and Bruins are among the teams that would be interested. A league source said he expects the Penguins to inquire.
  • David Pagnotta via twitter: Scouting the Blue Jackets – Red Wings game: Canadiens, Rangers, 2 from the Blackhawks, Kings and Blues.
  • Vicki Hall via twitter: Scouting the Flames – Kings: Canucks, Rangers, Blues, 3 Bruins, Ducks, Predators, Sabres, Flyers, Washington, Penguins, Sharks and Maple Leafs.

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Quick Hits: Visors, Duchene and O’Reilly not talking, realignment and scouting Leafs-Senators

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on March 7th, 2013

  • Eric Macramalla via twitter: The players said no to mandatory visors last year. It needs players consent as per the CBA. Larry Brooks via twitter: Bill Daly said in an email that mandatory visors was “discussed briefly” during the CBA talks but was ”no traction for change…” Katie Strang via twitter: The NHLPA plan to discuss visor issues and other equipment related matters in the summer.
  • Mike Chambers of the Denver Post: Chambers isn’t sure if Avalanche’s Matt Duchene and Ryan O’Reilly are even talking to each other anymore. Before O’Reilly signed the offer sheet, Duchene said:

    “For me, I don’t care about any of that. I just want to play hockey,” Duchene said on the video. “If I did look at it that way, maybe I would have done what he did. But I signed in June and … I love being an Av, everything about it. I love cheering for this team and that’s all that matters for me.”

  • Aaron Portzline via twitter: NHL realignment plan doesn’t need full NHLPA membership vote, just the NHLPA executive board need to vote.
  • David Pagnotta via twitter: Scouting the Maple Leafs-Senators game: two Oilers, Lightning, Avalanche, Blue Jackets, Kings, Stars, Canucks, Wild, Rangers, Blackhawks and Flyers.

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Trade Rumors: Avalanche, Penguins, Blue Jackets, Flames and Blues

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on March 5th, 2013

  • Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: If the Avalanche want to trade Ryan O’Reilly at some point, they are going to have to give him the minutes to put up the points. That would mean that either Matt Duchene or Paul Stastny would become their third line center. The other option would be to move Duchene to the left wing again, but he doesn’t like it, and not is it in the best interest of the team. Feb. 28th, 2014 is the earliest the Avs can trade O’Reilly. So it appears that Avs need to either trade one of their three centers or find better third line wingers to play with O’Reilly (played with John Mitchell and Milan Hejduk  in his first game). Dater thinks that the Avs should consider trading Paul Stastny. Stastny has five goals and seven assists in 20 games so far. His point totals have decreased over the last three years from 79 to 57 to 53. He has one year left on his deal at $6.6 million.
  • Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Penguins defenseman Simon Despres is available again. Three members of of the Blue Jackets organization were at the Penguins-Lightning game, GM Jarmo Kekalainen, assistant GM Chris MacFarland and senior advisor Craig Patrick. The Penguins are looking to add a defenseman that could play with Kris Letang, or for insurance if Letang is traded before his contract expires at the end of next season. GM Ray Shero said he hopes to sign Letang and Evgeni Malkin to contract extensions. Blue Jackets defenseman Jack Johnson could fit along side Letang. Johnson has a cap of $4.35 million through 2017-18. The Penguins may also be intrigued with idea of adding winger Jarome Iginla.
  • Jeff Gordon of the St. Louis Post Dispatch: ESPN’s Craig Custance on the Blue’s biggest issue:

    “That’s a nice addition if he’s healthy, but their biggest need continues to be on defense, especially the left side. GM Doug Armstrong has made it clear he’s willing to be aggressive to improve this team because they have championship expectations in St. Louis. The challenge is finding a trading partner willing to move a quality defenseman, a commodity many teams are looking for.”

    Ian Cole wasn’t able to fill in for the departed Carlo Colaiacovo. Wade Redden hasn’t worked out as hoped.

  • Mike Chambers of the Denver Post: The Avalanche may be looking to trade a defenseman so they’d be able to keep Tyson Barrie up when Erik Johnson and Ryan Wilson return. Barrie and Stefan Elliott are the only two that don’t have to clear waivers.

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Garrioch’s Rumor Roundup … Kick-starting a Flames Rebuild … Canucks Knew About O’Reilly Waiver Issue

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on March 3rd, 2013

  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: On the Flames offer sheet to Ryan O’Reilly,

    “Calgary should have known (the Avs) were going to match it no matter what,” said a league insider Friday. “By doing this, what they’ve done is given a division rival one of their best players back instead of having that guy traded elsewhere.

    “The Flames have given the Avs a top-six forward and the ammo that could knock Calgary out of a playoff race. This could really end badly for the Flames.”

    Had the Flames not made the offer, O’Reilly would have been traded to an Eastern Conference team. The Canucks, Red Wings and Flames tried to trade for him. Avs GM Sherman was trying to trade him to the Rangers, Maple Leafs or Lightning. The Avs wanted a player, prospect and No. 1 pick. Sources say that the Avs asked for Michael Del Zotto, Chris Kreider and a No. 1.

    The Rangers, Flames and Flyers are making trade calls.  “Teams are thinking they’ve got to do something now if they’re going to stand a chance,” said a league executive Friday.

    The Rangers, Blues and Senators are looking for a defenseman.

    Many GMs think the Penguins will make a deal for Jarome Iginla.

    Unless the Senators get a really good offer for Ben Bishop, don’t expect them to trade him. Robin Lehner won’t be waiver exempt next season.

    The clock could be ticking for Lightning coach Guy Boucher.

    If the Ducks were to trade Corey Perry, the Maple Leafs would be interested. They would want to have a chance to sign him before giving up top prospects. It is believed that the Ducks and Ryan Getzlaf are getting closer to a deal. Talks are ongoing with Perry,  but the sense is that he won’t re-sign.

    Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin may not be done as he’d like to free up a bit more money.

    The Rangers may be looking to add a bit more grit. The Rangers may have floated the idea of moving Marian Gaborik. He has a cap hit of $7.5 million through 2014-15.

    The Panthers may be active at the trade deadline. It’s believed they won’t be able to sign Stephen Weiss, and there are several teams that will be interested. The Wings have asked about Weiss.

    The Stars will have to decide if they want to re-sign Brenden Morrow or trade him.

    The Bruins, Blues, Penguins and Flyers are looking for help.

  • Randy Sportak of the Calgary Sun: Flames GM Jay Feaster said over a year ago on if they were to trade Miikki Kiprusoff,

    “If we were to trade 34 (Kiprusoff), is there a position lower than 30th?,” was Feaster’s reply just over a year ago. “If we were to trade 34, we’d be sub-30, whatever that number is in a 30-team league.”

    Kiprusoff no longer has a no-trade clause, and moving him would kick-start a flames rebuild. One problem is that the Flames don’t have goalie ready to take over the number 1 position. There is some hope that Kari Ramo would return the NHL next season. Also in their system are Danny Taylor, Leland Irving and even Barry Brust, but none have proven that they are NHLers.

  • Dan Tencer via twitter: When asked if he knew that Ryan O’Reilly would have to clear waivers if Colorado didn’t match the offer sheet, Cancucks GM Mike Gillis said “yes.”
  • Dan Tencer via twitter: When asked if he was close to trading Roberto Luongo prior to the season, Gillis said  “Yeah. Yeah, we were.”
  • Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune: Wild forward Matt Cullenwill be a UFA at the end of the season, and knows he could find himself in the trade rumors.

    “When I signed here three years ago, I wanted to win a Cup here. I hope we can do that this year,” Cullen said. “I love it here. My family’s from here. It’s a great organization. I love every part of it. It’s easy to get ahead of yourself and start thinking about this stuff, and I know it will be on the forefront here before long as we get closer to the deadline.

    “I don’t know what’s going to happen. I know what I hope for, though.”

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Leafs and Blues talking trade? Might be time for “much needed and anticipated” changes in Calgary

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on March 2nd, 2013

  • Andy Strickland of True Hockey: Sources in Toronto have the Blues and Maple Leafs on each other’s radar. Nikolai Kulemin’s name keeps coming up. Kulemin may need a change of scenery. He’s taken a defensive/penalty killing role and gets limited power play time. The Maple Leafs could be interested in a younger player which may include Jaden Schwartz and/or Ian Cole. If the Blues were to move Cole, they would need a defenseman in return, and the Leafs have a surplus of them. It would take more than Kulemin if they were to get Schwartz out of St. Louis.
  • Randy Sportak via twitter: After not getting Ryan O’Reilly, it might be time for the “much needed and anticipated” changes.

    We all know what that means, with the usual highly paid suspects — pending unrestricted free-agent Jarome Iginla, along with Miikka Kiprusoff and Jay Bouwmeester — in the sights as trade fodder to kickstart a much-needed rebuild of the team.

    The Flames should be looking for young talent and top picks.

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Quick Hits: Realignment, O’Reilly, Entry-level contracts, Benn, Stamkos, Kovalev, McGrattan and Panik

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Videos on March 2nd, 2013

  • Nick Kypreos via twitter: The NHL and NHLPA may soon announce an agreement in principle on realignment for next season. The new realignment agreement may give the players a window to revisit the agreement after the NHL moves on possible relocation and expansion.
  • Adrian Dater via twitter: Avalanche Ryan O’Reilly passed his physical and should be on the ice this morning at 9:00. If he plays Sunday will not be known until later today.
  • CapGeek via twitter: There should be lots of entry-level contracts to be signed in the upcoming weeks. Yesterday was the first day that next season deals can be signed.
  • Bob McKenzie via twitter: Stars Jamie Benn will have a disciplinary hearing today regarding his crosschecking major against the Oilers.
  • NHL.com: Steven Stamkos was named the first star of the month for February. Sidney Crosby was the second star and Ray Emery was the third star.
  • Harvey Fialkov via twitter: Alexei Kovalev will not travel with the team and Dineen said that an announcement is pending. Could be sounding like a buyout. Renaud Lavoie via twitter: It’s over for Kovalev and the Panthers. The Panthers would like him to retire, but he wants to be paid.

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Flames Offer Sheet for O’Reilly Almost Became Extremely Costly

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Videos on March 1st, 2013

  • Chris Johnston via twitter: “For what it’s worth, Bill Daly says any quotes from him refuting my story aren’t legitimate.”
  • Chris Johnston of SportsNet: The Flames may have gotten real lucky that the Avalanche matched their 2-year, $10 million offer for Ryan O’Reilly.

    In a bizarre twist to an already unusual story, Sportsnet.ca has discovered that the Flames were not only in danger of losing 2013 first- and third-round draft picks as compensation if the Avs hadn’t matched the O’Reilly contract, but they also would likely have had to surrender the player before ever getting him in uniform.

    That’s because O’Reilly would have needed to clear waivers before joining the team’s roster.

    O’Reilly apparently played with Metallurg of the KHL on Jan. 21st and 23rd, both games were after the NHL season had started. This would mean that he would have to clear through waivers.

    Recently, Evgeni Nabokov, Kyle Wellwood and Marek Svatos signed with an NHL team, then found themselves claimed by another team on waivers.

    A source said that the NHL wasn’t aware that he played in Russia after the start of the season.

  • Bob McKenzie via twitter: “For those asking, yes, my understanding is if COL hadn’t matched CGY offer on O’Reilly, CGY would have had to put him on waivers to play now. What’s fascinating is that a change in the new CBA is all that separated COL from having to put O’Reilly on waivers now to get him in lineup. In old CBA, 13:23 specified any player who plays in Europe after start of NHL reg season needs waivers playing in same season in NHL. But article 13 of recent MOU, says following: All players on a Club’s Reserve List and RFA list will be exempt from application of 13:23 In other words, in this new CBA, team can sign one of its own RFAs or draft picks out of Europe in mid-season and get in lineup w/o waivers.”

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Blues notes … Avalanche got Burned … Scouting the Flyers, Blues-Hawks, Bruins-Sens … Leafs Will Need to Make Roster Moves

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on March 1st, 2013

  • Andy Strickland of TrueHockey: A Blues trade of Kevin Shattenkirk for Daniel Briere makes zero sense for the Blues. Shattenkirk will eventually sign a contract extension with Blues. They talked before the lockout and will resume talks at some point, which could be after the season. He has arbitration rights and will get something north of $3 million a year. Comparables for the 22-year old would be Cam Fowler, Tyler Myers, Victor Hedman, John Carlson and Luke Schenn. The Blues could be looking for depth on the blueline, with the Maple Leafs, Jets, Coyotes and Sharks possibly looking to move a defenseman or two. The Blues can take on some salary.
  • Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: After matching the Ryan O’Reilly offer sheet, the Avalanche will now have nearly $58 million tied into next seasons salary cap. That won’t leave them much room for UFA’s under the $64.3 million cap ceiling. They won’t be able to trade O’Reilly until Feb. 28th, 2014. After next season, they’ll have to deal with the expiring contracts of Matt Duchene, Paul Stastny and Gabe Landeskog. Stastny would be a UFA.

    What the Flames did today, essentially, was potentially blow out the Avs’ salary structure in the next couple years. The Avs let the Flames set the market for O’Reilly’s value – and they had to swallow their pride and accept it because gambling that they’d get a lottery pick with the Flames’ first-round pick this year was too poor a prospect. How awful would it have been for this team if they’d not only let O’Reilly go to Calgary, but then gotten a worse draft pick maybe thanks to his helping them out the rest of the year in the standings? It would have been a humiliating blow.

    And today was humiliating enough for Avs management. They clearly gambled that nobody would break the offer sheet code that most teams live by – especially in the year after a lockout – and that they would be able to dictate to O’Reilly what his market value would be, not the other way around. Well, guess what? They lost that bet.

  • Frank Seravalli of the Philadelphia Daily News: Oilers president Kevin Lowe, Sr. VP Craig MacTavish and Eastern scout Marey Gare took in the Flyers game on Wednesday. The Oilers are believed to be looking to move Ryan Whitney and Ales Hemsky. Darren Dreger via twitter: Dreger downplays their presence at the game as they are scouting for Team Canada before going to sports analytics conference in Boston.
  • Lou Korac via twitter: Scouting the Blues-Blackhawks: Rangers, Predators, Avalanche, Oilers, Blue Jackets, Jets, Lightning, Hurricanes, Canadiens and Canucks.
  • David Alter of Sportsnet: The Maple Leafs will need to figure out who they’ll send down to the Marlies when Matt Frattin returns, which may happen any day now. Only Nazem Kadri, Leo Komarov and Korbinian Holzer don’t need to clear waivers, but all are playing big roles. If it’s a forward, David Steckel is the likeliest choice. John-Michael Liles has been a healthy scratch lately. Mike Komisarek has only played in four games and has s $4.5 million salary cap hit. The Leafs could send Frattin down to the Marlies on a conditioning stint. Joffrey Lupul could be back soon as well, so another decision will have to be made.

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