Eurolanche

Ryan O´Reilly signs with the KHL team

The talks between NHL and NHLPA continue and the new CBA deal is closer and closer. It has not stopped Ryan O´Reilly to sign a contract with the member of the Kontinental Hockey League, the Russian team of Metallurg Magnitogorsk. O´Reilly was negotiating with the Metallurg few days ago. The Russian team wanted to sign him for the whole season with no mater on the lockout. O´Reilly refused it.

Finally, the Metallurg step back and has agreed with O´Reilly. His player agent confirmed to Eurolanche the signing of the so-called lockout contract. „It contains a clause that would allow him to return to Colorado once the lockout ends providing he reaches an agreement with the Avalanche,” said O´Reilly´s player agent for www.eurolanche.com. The Colorado Avalanche fans could stay calm. O´Reilly will be back in the Avalanche uniform.

When the news about the signing had appeared for the first time over the internet, there were not any details. O´Reilly could sign the full season contract, because he is still the restricted free agent. But this did not happen, because he signed it only for the lockout period.  As O´Reilly has not valid contract in the NHL, he will not be marked as the NHL player in the KHL and he can join the Metallurg immediately. The Russian team has three NHL players (Evgeni Malkin, Nikolai Kulemin and Sergei Gonchar) on the roster now, what is the top limit in the KHL.