Eurolanche

Problem could be in O´Reilly too

Three days ago, I wrote the second analysis of Ryan O´Reilly´s case in the Slovak language at Eurolanche´s website. You could read the first analysis today in the English. As Adrian Dater wrote his opinion on O´Reilly from the Colorado Avalanche side, I decided to translate my Slovak story and introduces you my own opinion which is similar in many points with Dater´s. This is going to be the analysis from the look of Greg Sherman and company.

Maybe 110 percent of the Avalanche fans openly criticize the management for the decision to trade O´Reilly. The decision is still unofficial, but several reports by Dater and other respected journalists indicate it. O´Reilly had solid first three seasons NHL, especially his last one was remarkable. Hard working player with the Avalanche heart – the upcoming future of the franchise. Who would let go this type of player? Nobody except the Avalanche management? Fans are starting to hate Sherman and the staff more and more. But who really knows the reality behind the scenes? There are at least two options why is this not Avs´s fault.

1. KHL could change O´Reilly and opened his eyes. The league is knows for overpaying all players from Central Europe to China. It is not problem for rich billionaires and millionaires, who do not care about profits and just enjoying their big KHL toy. It is likely possible that O´Reilly signed two-year deal for 10 millions of USD. Then O´Reilly could ask himself: Why they (Avs) do not want to give me my 5 millions, if the Russians could do it? If it is true, it is a horrible mistake by O´Reilly. He probably cannot see the biggest difference between NHL and KHL.

2. Contracts of his (former) teammates could have an impact on the negotiating. Matt Duchene earns 3.5 mil per season, for Jones it is 4 mil. O´Reilly is comparable with Duchene. Matt had great first two season, Ryan lead the team in his last. He cannot ask for much more than Duchene earns. If there is a problem in “few” hundreds of thousands, it is big Avalanche problem. But if O´Reilly wants more only because Jones earns 4 millions, it is again O´Reilly´s mistake. I do not think it is right to compare with your teammate. If the Avs would accept this kind of talks, it could become a precedent. That player would compare to that player, the third one would do the same and once again in the never ending circle.

Is O´Reilly asking too much? Does he deserve four, five, six millions per seasons? How much does he want? Is it really problem in small difference or O´Reilly´s conditions are really unacceptable? We do not know. But many GMs and owners do. The unstopped process of increasing the salaries continues from the season to season. Players have started to be overpaid again like the lockout 2005 would never be there. The value of players is raised by owners who are willing to overpaying them. So it does not have to be only KHL´s fault.

If you want to believe that it is all O´Reilly´s fault, do not forget to check the list of players whose ends in Denver were at least controversial. “Things gone too personal”. Now, we really do not know what is in the manner. I hope Dater will reveal it soon. Or maybe we would be shocked, when O´Reilly will sign a 6 million contract for one year in the other organization. And then we will have to apologize to the Colorado Avalanche. Because for now it looks like somebody wants to keep blade of grass at his garden, no matter what. That blade is not O´Reilly, you know.