Winner: Ryan O’Reilly
Ryan O’Reilly. How did he make this list? He is not the team’s best scorer, and his point total is lower than last year. He was and still is Colorados top trade-bait, as his contract is expiring in 2016, and another contract-dispute should be avoided. So what is it that makes him a winner this year?
It has to do with exactly those contract issues. O’Reilly is having a great season finale, playing on a line with captain Gabriel Landeskog and veteran Alex Tanguay. He now owns an eight-game point-streak, and finishes March with having scored in 12 of 13 games. He posted eight goals and 17 points during the month, and he now has 15 goals and 53 points over 76 games this season.
That finish has significantly increased his stock in Colorado, and probably among possible trade partners. If Sakic and Roy were planning to press his salary, their plan is probably not going to work out anymore. At least they have an argument to get a better return if they want to trade him now.