Ryan O'Reilly: Possible Trades for the Young Star

After months of stalemate contract negotiations, it appears as though Ryan O'Reilly's days in Colorado are numbered as sources report the Colorado Avalanche are looking to trade the talented young center.  

One of the league's most promising young forwards, Ryan O'Reilly is known for his relentless work ethic and skills both on the offensive and defensive ends of the ice.  

After an impressive, breakout season in which O'Reilly put up 55 points (18 goals, 37 assists) last season, it was originally reported that O'Reilly was seeking a $5 million-per-year contract.  

Understandably, the Avalanche weren't willing to throw him that kind of money considering he's only in his third year in the NHL, and they signed their third overall pick in the 2009 NHL draft pick Matt Duchene (O'Reilly was picked 33rd overall) to a 2 year $7 million contract this past offseason.  

It's also been reported that O'Reilly was irked when the Avalanche picked Gabriel Landeskog to be the team's captain instead of O'Reilly.

Either way, it seems like both sides will need to move their separate ways.

It'll be exceedingly important for the Avs to receive adequate compensation for O'Reilly as he was one of the franchise's cornerstone pieces moving forward and the franchise cannot afford to trade him for little value in return.

Here are some trades I can see taking place for O'Reilly:    

To Anaheim:

C. Ryan O'Reilly

To Colorado:

D. Luca Sbisa

3rd Round Pick 

Future Considerations

I can see this trade happening for a variety of reasons:

1) Anaheim's centerman on their top two lines (Ryan Getzlaf and Saku Koivu) will be free-agents this coming offseason.  It's unlikely Anaheim will be able to re-sign both, so it makes sense that they'd be on the market for a potential replacement for one of the two.  

2) The Colorado Avalanche is in dire need of a solid puck-moving defenseman with good skating ability and great NHL potential to go along with Erik Johnson.  Sbisa fits the mold.

3) The Avalanche will obviously try to go after talented Anaheim defenseman Cam Fowler, but it's very unlikely Anaheim will trade away the promising young franchise-defenseman.  

To Florida: 

C. Ryan O'Reilly

To Colorado:

D. Dmitry Kulikov

2013 2rd Round Pick

Why this trade makes sense:

1)  The Florida Panthers might have the least depth in the NHL at center.  First line center Jonathan Huberdeau is not at the caliber of the typical first-line NHL center and second liner Peter Mueller, while talented, is inconsistent and injury-plagued.  Ryan O'Reilly would be "the man" in Florida if this trade were to go through. 

2)  Kulikov is a talented young defenseman in this league.  He's a swift skater who can move the puck well.  While he's still adjusting to the physicality of the NHL game, Kulikov has a bright future in the NHL.  Since Panther's coach Kevin Dineen is a "huge fan" of Kilikov's, Dineen would have to be pretty high on O'Reilly to consider 'okaying' the trade.  

To Ottawa:

C. Ryan O'Reilly

7th Round Pick

To Colorado:

D. Jared Cowen

3rd Round Pick

Why this trade makes sense:

1)  As evidenced by Colorado Avalanche GM Greg Sherman's acquisitions this summer, the Avalanche front office seems to really like defensive-minded defenseman.  Jared Cow3n is exactly that.  At 6'5 and 230 pounds, Cowen is an impressive physical specimen with a booming shot from the point. 

2)  Not that this would increase the trade likelihood, but Cowen has injury concerns.  His 2008-9 season was cut short due to a knee injury and he is coming off hip surgery as well. Greg Sherman has shown he's not willing to back away from a trade because of injury concerns, however. 

3)  With physically-gifted Duncan Siemens in the minors, the addition of a healthy Cowen could solidify a physical defensive unit in Colorado for years to come. 

To Toronto:

C. Ryan O'Reilly

2013 6th Round Pick

To Colorado: 

D. Jake Gardiner

2013 2th Round Pick

Future Considerations

Why this trade makes sense:

1) Gardiner is an offensive-minded defenseman—something which the Colorado Avalanches ' roster is lacking.  He has great puck-moving ability, swift skating and a accurate shot from the point.  

2) Gardiner has injury concerns after suffering a concussion during the lockout.  Randy Carlyle seems high on Gardiner, but with Ryan O'Reilly on the table, any trade is possible. 

3) Toronto could definitely use another solid centerman to go along with Mikhail Grabovski.  

To Winnipeg: 

C. Ryan O'Reilly

2013 5rd Round Pick

To Colorado:

D. Zach Bogosian

2013 3rd Round Pick

Why this trade makes sense:

1) Zach Bogosian is a very solid player with a bright future if he can stay healthy.  A smooth skater with a high hockey IQ, solid puck-moving skills and a good shot, the former third-overall pick has the potential to be one of the league's best defenseman.

2) He has been injury-plagued through his career thus far.  In his first season, he broke his leg.  In the 2009-10 season, although he didn't miss much time, he broke his left thumb and wrist which obviously negatively impacted his play. 

3) Winnipeg is also in need of a young, cornerstone centerman with Olli Jokinen getting older and Brian Little not playing like a typical first-line center.  Winnipeg needs the offensive boost that O'Reilly could provide. 

4)  This trade would obviously hinge on the Winnipeg Jets' attitude towards Bogosian.  If they think highly of him, it's very unlikely a trade will get done.