Team told LeBrun they believe O'Reilly is "available, but it's not a certainty"

Pierre LeBrun was on Edmonton’s TSN 1260 on Monday afternoon.

On Ryan O’Reilly:

“I would say this. I was just talking to another team that said they do believe he’s available, but it’s not a certainty. Colorado is not phoning around to every single team and saying, ‘ This guy is available.’

“But what’s happening, I think, is that they have phoned some teams - and some teams have phoned them because word spreads around – where there could be a fit. And of course we all know what the Avalanche need. They need a top-4 defenseman. Somebody that can be around a long time and be a real anchor on defense. So that would be part of any discussion in a Ryan O’Reilly trade.

“It’s not a guarantee he moves before March 2 because it doesn’t have to be. He’s got a year and a half left on his deal. But if it’s not before March 2, they’ve got to think long and hard in June at the very latest about whether he’s part of their plans long term, or whether they get something tangible in return and not let him walk away as a UFA like they did with Paul Stastny. They got nothing in return for Paul Stastny. So that’s why I think some of this has begun.

“And a lot of it, again, is because they are too thin on their blueline to succeed consistently in this league. They have got to get another anchor back there and he’s probably the chip that makes the most sense. But still not clear whether for sure he’ll be moved. I think there’s a chance, but only if it’s absolutely right for them.”

Source: TSN 1260/ Transcript: Nichols on Hockey

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