The NHL rumor mill has seemingly claimed a new favorite in recent days - Colorado Avalanche forward Ryan O'Reilly.
O'Reilly, 23, is a high-motor two-way center who does all the right things for the Avs - except play with consistency, which is part of the reason they're apparently open to dealing him - though he won't come cheap.
"O'Reilly's contract history aside, he's the Avalanche's most versatile and disciplined forward. He can play center or left wing and possesses a solid two-way game. The 2014 Lady Byng Trophy winner also doesn't take costly penalties. He's not the type of player a team easily gives up in a trade," writes Lyle Richardson of TheHockeyNews.com.
The potential return from dealing him would be significant. The Avs are currently one of the worst defensive teams in the league, but they have a plethora of forward depth.
Moving O'Reilly could bring them back a defenseman of serious quality. Adrian Dater, former columnist for the Denver Post, says that the Florida Panthers, Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens are all potential landing spots for the gritty center.
Craig Custance of ESPN notes that there has been talk of an O'Reilly-for-Arizona Coyote's defenseman Keith Yandle trade, which he sees as a good fit.
O'Reilly, though, is expensive - he's on the first year of a two-year deal with a $6 million cap hit - and Colorado won't give him up without a legitimate return, defensive or otherwise.
"With the Avalanche's playoff hopes growing slimmer by the day it's understandable why there's talk of O'Reilly being shopped for a blueliner," Richardson writes. "Management could be quietly gauging his trade value to determine if he'll land a quality return.
"However, unless they get a sweetheart offer, there's no certainty they'll move O'Reilly, or any of their young forwards, for defensive help this season."
