Sunday, December 28, 2014

Could The Montreal Canadiens Be Interested In Ryan O'Reilly?

1:54 PM  Fred Poulin  No comments

Now that the NHL roster freeze has been lifted, will Habs GM Marc Bergevin continue to improve his roster prior to the trade deadline? The team currently sits third in the Atlantic division with a record of 22-11-2 for 46 points, only two points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning with two games in hand.

Montreal currently has a surplus of defensemen, with veterans Mike Weaver and Bryan Allen being on the outside looking in following the emergence of youngster Nathan Beaulieu. It would make sense for Bergevin to trade a rearguard to get some scoring punch in the team's top nine ahead of the playoffs.

One player who is reportedly on the trade market is Colorado Avalanche forward Ryan O'Reilly, who has two years remaining to his contract at $6 million/year. The Avs are looking for an established defenseman in return. 

In 35 games, O'Reilly, the 23-year-old forward has 6 goals and 14 assists for 20 points to go along with a -11 rating on a very disappointing Colorado squad. O'Reilly, who can both play wing and center, had a much better campaign in 2013-14, potting 28 goals and 36 assists for 64 points in 80 games.

A solid two-way forward who is known for his discipline and respect on the ice only collected 14 penalty minutes over the past three seasons (144 games). He would certainly help the Canadiens in that area as the team is known to take too many penalties.

The Avalanche and the Canadiens have been trade partners in the past when the teams swapped two problems before the season with Daniel Briere going to Colorado and P-A Parenteau coming to Montreal.

Who would you give to the Avs in order to land Ryan O'Reilly via trade?
Lars Eller? Alexei Emelin? Jarred Tinordi? Sven Adrighetto?

With both teams being near the cap maximum, the deal would need to work financially.

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