Eurolanche

O´Reilly´s trade could cost much

Adrian Dater wrote a great blog at the Denver Post website about the current situation in the Colorado Avalanche management, and mainly in the talks with Ryan O´Reilly. According to his sources, O´Reilly is going to be traded. TSN speculates the Avs would like to get a roster player and a top prospect. This situation was unimaginable few weeks ago, when the same management was saying there would be no trade in the O´Reilly situation. It is not true anymore. There are no negotiations between O´Reilly´s agents and the team, and the whole issue gets a little personal. Dater promised to tell us more details when the trade is done. I cannot imagine what it will be, but I know it would be not regular “game recap story with Joe Sacco´s positive quotes”.

The hockey world is now watching on the Avalanche management. According to Dater´s mini survey, more general managers and players cannot believe the Avalanche is going to trade a player like is O´Reilly. Probably the overlooked problems in this case are the following consequences after the trade which could have a major impact on the Avalanche organization. If they would not get real good players for O´Reilly, it will destroy the hockey in Denver. Why? All players and GMs are watching how this will end. Who would like to come to the organization which lets go one of its best players for nothing or for average players?

If the Avalanche management would get solid players for O´Reilly, it will save at least a minimum credit of the already damaged reputation. “At least, they got somebody”. Yes, the reputation is permanently damaged and it is hard to get bigger names to Denver. It is not hard due Kroenke´s policy with money; it is hard due the damaged reputation. Dater mentioned few players from the past who had to leave the organization because did not accept the first and the last from the Avs: Craig Anderson, Ian Laperriere and Tomas Fleischmann. Actually, the list is longer. And could you imagine what would happened if the Avs will not get appropriate players for O´Reilly? If they let go the team leading scorer from the last season due the minimum differences in the two-year deal offer?

Fans are mad, hockey experts and people in/around the NHL are surprised. I think not many of them really understand the situation which could follow after the trade. The management is on the edge of the rock. Few inches from falling down. Just remember for now: no solid acquisitions, the reputation would be damaged forever. And it will be start of the end of the hockey in Denver. Because nobody will wants to play there.

PS

Ian Laperriere talks about his end in the Colorado Avalanche in this Eurolanche´s interview.