Thats exactly what the Flames are doing by making this move.
- stveshdy

Yep, and I think it's a mistake. But who knows. As always, time will tell.

Team looked much better last night. The second pp unit with Gagne looked better. Now if the team could just not lose anyone else that would help. This team needs to build chemistry.

His potential is as high as any Flyers youngsters. Thats my opinion though.

I think its a great move by the Flames.
- stveshdy

I'll put it this way, I probably wouldn't be willing to bet nearly $6m over each of two years that he could become a franchise player for my team, let alone within the span of this contract.

Of course, I haven't seen much of the kid, to put my opinion in perspective.

I'll put it this way, I probably wouldn't be willing to bet nearly $6m over each of two years that he could become a franchise player for my team, let alone within the span of this contract.

Of course, I haven't seen much of the kid, to put my opinion in perspective.
- BulliesPhan87

Not to mention trying to work out another deal with him in just two years time. Risking an almost certain top 10 pick over that. Not even close to worth it...

Not to mention trying to work out another deal with him in just two years time. Risking an almost certain top 10 pick over that. Not even close to worth it...
- hereticpride

He's pretty much guaranteed 6.5M again after that 2 year deal is up. And based on his track record, he may want more.

Yep, and I think it's a mistake. But who knows. As always, time will tell.
- MJL

I guess, to be fair, it's a win-meh for the Flames. Either they struck gold, or this will be a mistake on par with their track record of stand-still moves over the past few years.

I'll put it this way, I probably wouldn't be willing to bet nearly $6m over each of two years that he could become a franchise player for my team, let alone within the span of this contract.

Of course, I haven't seen much of the kid, to put my opinion in perspective.
- BulliesPhan87

The Flames stink. They are getting a 22 year old player who will step right in at center and probably play on the 1st line. Not sure they find that in the draft when they pick. This move is all about building around him and going in another direction.

He's pretty much guaranteed 6.5M again after that 2 year deal is up. And based on his track record, he may want more.
- MJL

That's a big thing, too. His bargaining position two years from now is instantly bolstered by a significant amount.

He's pretty much guaranteed 6.5M again after that 2 year deal is up. And based on his track record, he may want more.
- MJL

Classic Feaster.

I guess, to be fair, it's a win-meh for the Flames. Either they struck gold, or this will be a mistake on par with their track record of stand-still moves over the past few years.
- BulliesPhan87

The Flames are actually in a good spot b/c the deal is for two years. If he doesnt live up to his hype they can let him walk or trade him.

I guess, to be fair, it's a win-meh for the Flames. Either they struck gold, or this will be a mistake on par with their track record of stand-still moves over the past few years.
- BulliesPhan87

I think they're getting a good young player. But think about it. What kind of player do you want to build your team around? You want a star level player. I don't think O'Reilly is that type of player. Calgary's pick is going to be a pretty high pick. They could strike out on that pick, but they could also hit gold.

The Flames stink. They are getting a 22 year old player who will step right in at center and probably play on the 1st line. Not sure they find that in the draft when they pick. This move is all about building around him and going in another direction.
- stveshdy

For two, well really 1 year. Who is going to be a huge pain to re-sign at a cap hit that doesnt hurt the team more than it helps it. Not matching is a no brainer for the Avs.

The Flames stink. They are getting a 22 year old player who will step right in at center and probably play on the 1st line. Not sure they find that in the draft when they pick. This move is all about building around him and going in another direction.
- stveshdy

I guess I just don't see it as the surefire successful move you do. I don't see it as worse than any other transaction they've made over the past... oh, however many years, not by a looooooooong shot, but I think there's room for doubt here. Maybe he is a future star player, though, I'm not saying this can't turn out great for the Flames.

The Flames are actually in a good spot b/c the deal is for two years. If he doesnt live up to his hype they can let him walk or trade him.
- stveshdy

And have burned a 1st in the process. If they trade his expiring contract it wont be for anything close to a top 10 pick.

For two, well really 1 year. Who is going to be a huge pain to re-sign at a cap hit that doesnt hurt the team more than it helps it. Not matching is a no brainer for the Avs.
- hereticpride

I actually think the Av's are going to match.

The Flames are actually in a good spot b/c the deal is for two years. If he doesnt live up to his hype they can let him walk or trade him.
- stveshdy

Sure, but they'll be out two draft picks (at that point prospects) when they're (still) in need of a rebuild. That's two prospects that could've been had in addition to whatever their veterans net them at the TDL.

And have burned a 1st in the process. If they trade his expiring contract it wont be for anything close to a top 10 pick.
- hereticpride

They are getting O'Reilly for that 1st.

Trading away Kipper, Iginla or Jay Bo will only add picks if they choose to go that route.

Either way, the Flames pick and Avs own 1st probably gets you the 2nd overall if you want it bad enough. Avs could end up with someone wayyyyy more talented than O'Reilly that way. It's a no brainer for me. You're just going to have to go through this mess with Ryan again in two years anyway.
- hereticpride

A good year with multiple 1st rounders.

Sure, but they'll be out two draft picks (at that point prospects) when they're (still) in need of a rebuild. That's two prospects that could've been had in addition to whatever their veterans net them at the TDL.
- BulliesPhan87

What picks are they giving up?

The 1st round pick isn't a loss b/c they get O'Reilly.

Depending who else they trade they could get more picks back.

A good year with multiple 1st rounders.
- ob18

The draft is like throwing darts at times. Never know who is going to be a player.

The Flames are actually in a good spot b/c the deal is for two years. If he doesnt live up to his hype they can let him walk or trade him.
- stveshdy

When it comes right down to it, it's more then a two year deal. It's really a 4 year deal. You think the Flames are going to be willing to walk away after giving up a top 10 pick.

They are getting O'Reilly for that 1st.

Trading away Kipper, Iginla or Jay Bo will only add picks if they choose to go that route.
- stveshdy

So what's the rush to get an NHL ready center if you're only going to trade away current big pieces? And for a year and a half, instead of drafting a guy and controlling him for 5 years? Sorry, it makes very little sense to me at all.

I think they're getting a good young player. But think about it. What kind of player do you want to build your team around? You want a star level player. I don't think O'Reilly is that type of player. Calgary's pick is going to be a pretty high pick. They could strike out on that pick, but they could also hit gold.
- MJL

I suppose they're rather confident he'll be a strong core piece. It could work out, but at that salary I do question the cost/benefit here.

When it comes right down to it, it's more then a two year deal. It's really a 4 year deal. You think the Flames are going to be willing to walk away after giving up a top 10 pick.
- MJL

I think the Flames are going to committ to him which is why they put in the offer sheet.

So what's the rush to get an NHL ready center if you're only going to trade away current big pieces? And for a year and a half, instead of drafting a guy and controlling him for 5 years? Sorry, it makes very little sense to me at all.
- hereticpride

What big pieces? Iginla is a free agent and 36. Kipper is an old goalie. Jay Bo can net you some picks possible b/c d-men are valuable.