BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Sabres announced the team has signed forward Ryan O’Reilly to a seven-year contract extension.
The Sabres acquired O’Reilly (6’0”, 210 lbs., 2/7/1991) from the Colorado Avalanche with Jamie McGinn on June 26 in exchange for Nikita Zadorov, Mikhail Grigorenko, J.T. Compher and the 31st pick in the 2015 NHL Draft.
Prior to joining the Sabres, O’Reilly played in Colorado for six seasons, recording at least 50 points in each of the last three full NHL seasons. The Clinton, Ontario native tallied 55 points (17+38) in 82 games last season as a member of the Avalanche.
O’Reilly led all Colorado forwards in ice time in each of the last two seasons and also led all Colorado skaters in takeaways in both seasons. His faceoff percentage (53.4%) in 2014-15 led all Avalanche players, ranking 20th in the NHL.
A former Avalanche second-round pick (33rd overall) in 2009, O’Reilly has appeared in 427 NHL regular-season games, recording 246 points (90+156) and 64 penalty minutes. He has added seven points (3+4) in 13 postseason games.
O’Reilly was awarded the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 2014 following a 2013-14 season in which he recorded 28 goals and 64 points – and only two penalty minutes – in 80 games.
