Calls for the Colorado Avalanche to reacquire a former star have kicked into high gear. While the Avs don’t really NEED to acquire any significant pieces, the chatter surrounding the team has centered on a specific former star.
The former star in question is Ryan O’Reilly.
Now, it’s not the first time O’Reilly’s name has come up in the last week or so. If anything, it seems as though there is a concerted effort to convince the Avalanche and the Nashville Predators to team up on another trade.
In fact, the last time the Avs and Preds worked out a deal, the Avalanche got a major boost by landing goalie Scott Wedgewood.
That being said, notable insider Jesse Granger had this to say about the Avalanche and O’Reilly reuniting in a December 27 piece in The Athletic:
“What a full-circle moment this would be. Not only would it bring O’Reilly back to the place his career began, but he would also solidify the Avalanche down the middle of the ice, perhaps better than any other available player. Jack Drury and Ross Colton have been solid bottom-six centers, but O’Reilly would give Jared Bednar another option to create matchup problems for the opposition in the playoffs and make the best team in the league even scarier.”
Trading for O’Reilly could likely cost Colton due to cap considerations. Unless the Avalanche pull out a rabbit out of somewhere to make room, it’s unlikely Colorado can fit O’Reilly’s $4.5 million cap hit.
That being said, Granger’s point about having another matchup center is spot on. The Avalanche would be a nightmare to play against if they could deploy someone like O’Reilly in late-game matchup situations.
In that case, Bednar could unleash MacKinnon against seemingly weaker opposition. Imagine what havoc the Avalanche’s leading scorer could wreak then.
O’Reilly likely slides in as the 3C. If the Avs can somehow manage to keep Colton, a third line of Ross Colton, Ryan O’Reilly, and say, Valeri Nichushkin would be enough to keep opposing coaches up at night.
Landing O’Reilly might be wishful thinking. But if there’s any GM who could pull this off, it’s Chris MacFarland. So, there’s no reason to completely write this trade off. Even if unlikely, it’s always possible.