Ryan O’Reilly, Colorado Avalanche Not Close On A Deal According To His Agent

As if hearing that Paul Stastny and the Colorado Avalanche weren’t anywhere close on a deal a couple of weeks ago, the Avalanche fan base will hold their collective breath yet again. According to ProHockeyTalk.com, Ryan O’Reilly “isn’t close” to working out a deal with the Avs just yet.

Here is what O’Reilly’s agent Pat Morris said about the deal process.

"“Ryan would like to stay in Colorado. At the same time, a long-term deal has not been worked out, or isn’t close to being worked out.”"

The Avs have filed for club-elected salary arbitration against the 23-year-old forward just this past week, which is a little risky considering they could lose him for basically nothing in the next few years. Morris would go on to talk about the arbitration process.

"“We’re now preparing for an arbitration case that we didn’t think we’d have to attend to,” said Morris. “And at the same time, as of the 25th of June, people can entertain talking to [restricted free agents], and he’s an RFA effectively until July 5th, at which time period then it’s just an arbitration case beyond that.”"

The 23-year-old O’Reilly is coming off of a career year in which he collected 64 points — 28 goals and 36 assists. What’s more impressive outside of the point production is that the forward collected just two penalty minutes all season long.

In the first-round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season, O’Reilly would record six points in seven games, scoring two goals while adding four assists.

Colorado needs to retain one of the two forwards, in reference to Paul Stastny and Ryan O’Reilly. According to multiple reports, Joe Sakic and Patrick Roy will be holding a press conference Thursday so we will see what happens from that point on.