Ryan O'Reilly

The Avs are taking him to arbitration. Obviously some bad blood there. If they end up keeping Stasny, maybe he becomes available. He obviously isn't as established as a Stasny Kesler or Thornton but he is a very intriguing player.

We've been rumored to be interested in him before, wonder if he could solve our C problems. His point totals are there, but I'm not sure if he's ready to be a true #1 guy just yet.

 

Yeah this might not end well for O'Reilly/Avs. It started with the offer sheet from Calgary that they matched. Arbitration creates alot of animosity....

 

I'd go between 7 and 7.4 for Stastny for 5/6 years.

 

That's the contract he'll get 71, I just don't want it to be us that gives it to him. I dont think he's good enough for that kind of money. He just happens to be the best FA C available this year.

 

I guess if they can trade for Kesler and save that way it's good as well, he's pretty much on the same level. I think they need both players and either deal Stepan or Brassard but im in the minority there it seems.

 

I understand there are 2 critical elements favoring Statsny 1) This team needs a bigtime Center and 2) He is the best Center available thru UFA status

But come on let's not get crazy here. The reality is giving Statsny that contract is not much different than giving Richards his and look how that ended.

Ricards was 31 when he signed here. Statsny will be 29 in December

Look at their career stats for their first 8 years.....Very very similar

Richards:
GP: 564
Goals: 152
Assists: 348
Points: 500

Statsny
GP: 538
Goals: 160
Assists; 298
Points: 438

Richards had a cup and Conn Smythe as well. Statsny has 22 playoff games in his career

Statsny is 2.5 years younger than when Richards signed his deal with us. That is significant. He is also likely going to regress a bit in the next couple of years and he has also only surpassed 57 points ONCE in the past 6 years. He will also likley get more years than 6. I would think 8/60 and that is way too much

Kesler is the play

 

Stastny is a much more solid player than Richards though, but either he or Kesler is a must, or Thornton though he'd be last. The thing with getting Kesler is they would probably want Stepan so then you'd have to replace him anyway. I don't think they'd take just prospects.

 

I agree. Stepan is still only 23 and might get better in the tough playoff games but I would def be happy with that combo

 

Hoping oreilly goes berserk in the arbitration hearing and forces colorado to trade him and the silver haired guy chomping on his cigar is sitting outside the door.