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Just days after being acquired by the Buffalo Sabres forward Ryan O'Reilly put pen to paper on a seven-year contract extension worth an annual average of $7.5 million per season.
There's been a lot of debate about whether he's worth the money or not so hotstove members decided to chime in.
Todd Cordell
I think O'Reilly was an excellent addition for the Sabres and I have no problem with the contract they handed out.
First and foremost O'Reilly has already established himself as one of the better two-way players in the game. He's tallied 119 points (60 per season) over the last two years while playing very tough minutes on a highly mediocre Colorado Avalanche team.
He's good in possession, he can play in all situations and he has proven he can score. He also flat out doesn't take penalties - his career high in PIMs was 18 as a rookie - so the two-way stud is always available to the coaching staff.
At 24 years of age his best hockey is still ahead of him and the Sabres have him signed for the entirety of his prime.
Factor in a) O'Reilly could have gone to unrestricted free agency next summer; b) the Sabres are paying for his prime; c) the salary cap is going up and; d) Buffalo's 2nd line center in Jack Eichel is on an entry-level deal for almost half of O'Reilly's contract and there really isn't much to complain about here.
The Sabres paid a lot for a very good hockey player. I see nothing wrong with that.
James Tanner
Yes he is.
Ryan O'Reilly was hurt by playing on one of the worst possession teams, for one of the worst coaches in the NHL, but for his career before Roy he always had a fantastic CF%.
He's a two-way defensive centre who can score and I think those are possibly the most important players you can acquire.
The last Six or so Stanley Cups have all featured Crosby, Datsyuk, Bergeron, Kopitar or Toews, all of whom are elite defensively and who also score.
I see know reason at the age of 23 and with this contract covering his entire prime, that ROR isn't a great value on this contract.
It's less than Phil Kessel's deal and I think ROR helps a team more. It's 3 million less than Toews, and if he continues to develop into the Bergeron-esque force it's hoped he will be, it's likely he won't be $3 worse of a player.
It's quite clear you need player like this to win. Colorado is the worst run team in the NHL since the Leafs fired Nonis. I can't believe they'd balk at signing him and then spend equal money on a combined cap hit of Blake Comeau and Carl Soderberg. Are you kidding me?
Bottom line: O'Reilly is worth every penny.
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