lets not make this about who is winning the trade because i never said anything about that. All i said is oreilly is a good player but not a good leader and I am sticking by that. I dont care about how many points he has or that hes leading them in faceoffs because that really doesnt have to do with being a good leader. Theres a reason Kane isnt even wearing in A in chicago.
- MattDuchene9

I also think O'Reilly wanted out of The Avs because he wanted to play a bigger role on a team like he is with the Sabres. The Avs had two centers they liked above him and had him at #3 or on the wing and he wanted to play above that so it had to do with that too.

*quote*

It sounds like ROR just felt unappreciated in Colorado. With so many other great players and him being behind them, it's easy to see why. Now, I guess he feels appreciation based off of his contract, but it sounds like he is still doing the same old things... As far as him literally running practices AFTER practice for many of the players on this team. I feel like he simply wasn't givin credit for it in Colorado and here he has all the opportunity in the world to be seen as a leader and it is showing.

doing well on the ice doesnt always mean youre a good leader. lots of very good players that arent natural leaders and oreilly is one of them.certainly cares more about himself then the team which is a big reason why hes no longer in colorado
- MattDuchene9

and we thank the Colorado avalanche for that...the O'Reilly you describe is not what we see here...maybe it's in there and hasn't come out, but he's been a leader in the way he conducts himself and how he puts in tireless hours of extra work...sam reinhart has been working with him after practice, he's made huge strides

Wow sour grapes here today. The trade could still work out for CO, hopefully Grig becomes a steady scorer and Zadorov levels out too. But no need to rip on the guy and his new team b/c you're still sad over the issues regarding his contract.

Crying foul and degrading the guy makes you and your favorite team look bad, not him

I think it's fair to say that neither the Sabres fans nor the Avs fans know whether O'Reilly is a leader or not. We do not see what happens in the locker room and on the bus/plane rides.

There are good points for bot sides of the argument. Scoring and faceoff percentage does not make you a leader. But taking accountability for your performance and staying late in practice to help younger players work on things does.

Holding out for a better contract doesn't make you a bad leader. But drunk driving your truck through a restaurant wall and leaving the scene does.

Open for debate. But the Colorado fan is entitled to his opinion. And he is right in saying that O'Reilly was given the A, he had not earned it.

I think it's fair to say that neither the Sabres fans nor the Avs fans know whether O'Reilly is a leader or not. We do not see what happens in the locker room and on the bus/plane rides.

There are good points for bot sides of the argument. Scoring and faceoff percentage does not make you a leader. But taking accountability for your performance and staying late in practice to help younger players work on things does.

Holding out for a better contract doesn't make you a bad leader. But drunk driving your truck through a restaurant wall and leaving the scene does.

Open for debate. But the Colorado fan is entitled to his opinion. And he is right in saying that O'Reilly was given the A, he had not earned it.
- SabresPanacea

And you know for sure he was driving the Truck . Good to Know! The courts in Ontario don't seem to know as they keep moving the court date. You better go up and clue them in!

The coach gave him the A in training camp as he was showing qualities that made the coach feel he was a leader. But what does the coach know?

And you know for sure he was driving the Truck . Good to Know! The courts in Ontario don't seem to know as they keep moving the court date. You better go up and clue them in!

The coach gave him the in training camp as he was showing qualities that made the coach feel he was a leader. But what does the coach know?
- Maximum Signal

The coach was new too, so it's not like he had previous seasons to base his "leaders" on. Also, I certainly can't complain about new talent given leading roles considering the past two seasons we've had

Wow sour grapes here today. The trade could still work out for CO, hopefully Grig becomes a steady scorer and Zadorov levels out too. But no need to rip on the guy and his new team b/c you're still sad over the issues regarding his contract.

Crying foul and degrading the guy makes you and your favorite team look bad, not him
- jackzack87

i really am not bitter about oreilly. he was not a good fit in colrado. only player i am bitter about is stastny.

I'm just glad Ennis didn't receive an "A".
He is the last player on this team I want anyone to use as an example of how to approach and play the game.

I hope you won't mind if I have a few cocktails, it's just something I like to do while I'm getting drunk.

I hope you won't mind if I have a few cocktails, it's just something I like to do while I'm getting drunk.
- Der Kaiser

Knock yourself out!

We are happy with mcginn and oreilly and you are happy with Zad and Grigs, time to move on.

i really am not bitter about oreilly. he was not a good fit in colrado. only player i am bitter about is stastny.
- MattDuchene9

Why are you here then ? Just Trolling and trying to be annoying? We are very Happy with OReilly. Sorry you were not.

And you know for sure he was driving the Truck . Good to Know! The courts in Ontario don't seem to know as they keep moving the court date. You better go up and clue them in!

The coach gave him the A in training camp as he was showing qualities that made the coach feel he was a leader. But what does the coach know?
- Maximum Signal

If you honestly believe he wasn't driving his own classic truck then I have a bridge to sell you. And if you think that a week or two of training camp is enough to truly get to know someone's character, then you are not living in the same world as I am.

We'll give you back McGinn. You guys overpaid. McGinn is a great player but you stole our two best leaders in Grigs the lazy Russian and Zadorov I cry about being sent to juniors can't wake up on time for practice stud D man.
- SayBeers

The guy is one of the biggest trolls on the board, and had like a year long ban, it's best just to ignore him.

Wearing an A isn't always about ethical off-ice leadership, but it should be. How you conduct yourself on the bench and with your line (on the ice) defines that. From what I've seen, ROR is always communicating and getting guys where they need to be.

There are terrible captains, he's far from one. Why are we even talking about leadership issues?

If you honestly believe he wasn't driving his own classic truck then I have a bridge to sell you. And if you think that a week or two of training camp is enough to truly get to know someone's character, then you are not living in the same world as I am.
- SabresPanacea

I actually met a friend of the family on a flight in Canada to Halifax. We sat beside each other for 3 hours and he gave the skinny to me . ( I told Schultzie about back then if you want to check ) The person driving was even a bigger star than Ryan . They came from playing in a charity golf tournament in London Ontario. And I believe an NHL coach with years of working with players can spot leadership. Why do you think they you are smarter than him and think you are a better judge of character?

I actually met a friend of the family on a flight in Canada to Halifax. We sat beside each other for 3 hours and he gave the skinny to me . ( I told Schultzie about back then if you want to check ) The person driving was even a bigger star than Ryan . They came from playing in a charity golf tournament in London Ontario. And I believe an NHL coach with years of working with player can spot leadership. Why do you think they you are smarter than him and think you are a better judge of character?
- Maximum Signal

You know how it goes, self appointed judges, judge more than should.

Also have to remember, for some hockey players, they don't have a normal upbringing. The good time just roll.... When they're 37 and retire, they become local broadcasters for the home team. The dream never dies. #jagr

Wearing an A isn't always about ethical off-ice leadership, but it should be. How you conduct yourself on the bench and with your line (on the ice) defines that. From what I've seen, ROR is always communicating and getting guys where they need to be.

There are terrible captains, he's far from one. Why are we even talking about leadership issues?
- 51_Killer

Because the Local Colorado fan says O'Reilly is not a leader.

Also have to remember, for some hockey players, they don't have a normal upbringing. The good time just roll.... When they're 37 and retire, they become local broadcasters for the home team. The dream never dies. #jagr
- 51_Killer

Rob Ray , Brad May?

I said from the time we were in rumors to acquire ROR that he would be this Franchises next Chris Drury but even better. The guy who said he is not a leader has probably never stepped on the ice for a competitive hockey game. A guy wanting to be paid has nothing to do with leadership. Thats the business side of the game. The "O"reilly Practices" alone shows how much of a leader he is. The fact that he never takes a shift off shows how much of a leader he is. The fact that he takes accountability for his entire teams play in interviews shows how much of a leader he is. Should i go on?

I said from the time we were in rumors to acquire ROR that he would be this Franchises next Chris Drury but even better. The guy who said he is not a leader has probably never stepped on the ice for a competitive hockey game. A guy wanting to be paid has nothing to do with leadership. Thats the business side of the game. The "O"reilly Practices" alone shows how much of a leader he is. The fact that he never takes a shift off shows how much of a leader he is. The fact that he takes accountability for his entire teams play in interviews shows how much of a leader he is. Should i go on?
- soljor09

I have to admit . I did not want him at first . Thank god Tim Murray does not listen to me!

When Gionta is gone, I believe ROR will be named captain. He certainly is one Bylsma relies on heavily too think otherwise.

When Gionta is gone, I believe ROR will be named captain. He certainly is one Bylsma relies on heavily to think otherwise.
- sippyd