The Calgary Flames signed Colorado Avalanche forward Ryan O’Reilly to a two-year offer sheet worth $10 million Thursday.
In the first year of deal, O’Reilly would earn $3.5 million ($2.5M signing bonus plus a $1M salary) and $6.5 million in the second year.
If Colorado does not match the offer sheet, the Flames will surrender a first-round and third-round draft pick to the Avalanche in order to acquire O’Reilly.
When contacted by Sportsnet, O’Reilly replied via text message: “I have no comment on the situation until it’s resolved.”
The Avalanche have seven days to match the offer.
“The Calgary Flames have signed restricted free agent Ryan O’Reilly to an offer sheet. Under the rules pertaining to an offer sheet, we will allow the process to transpire. We will not provide any further comment until the process is complete,” Flames general manager Jay Feaster said in a press release.
This is just the sixth NHL offer sheet since 2007.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 28, 2013
In 81 games with the Avalanche last season the 22-year-old had 18 goals and 55 points. In 236 career NHL regular season games the Clinton, Ont., native has 39 goals and 107 points.
O’Reilly was drafted by Colorado in the second round (33rd overall) in the 2009 NHL Draft.
By the way, Ryan O’Reilly was taken by the Avs 33rd in the 2009 draft…the Flames had taken D-man Tim Erixon at 23.
— John Shannon (@JSportsnet) February 28, 2013
Colorado also released the following statement in regards to the offer sheet:
“The Avalanche organization was notified of the offer sheet earlier this afternoon. Per the Collective Bargaining Agreement, in the case of an offer sheet, NHL teams have seven days to either match the offer or accept compensation. The Avalanche will have further comments when a decision is made.”
If the Avalanche decide to match the Flames’ offer, the club would not be able to trade him for one full calendar year.
