[sureLoss]

Friedman on Rielly:

Elliotte Friedman was on Calgary’s Sportsnet 960 on Tuesday afternoon.

On this being the time of year to hear about college free agents, and what we need to know about Mike Reilly:

“Mike Reilly is not yet a free agent, but there is a chance he could turn out to be this year’s Kevin Hayes. He was drafted in the fourth round a couple of years ago by the Columbus Blue Jackets and they have to sign him before the draft this year or he becomes an unrestricted free agent.

“He went through Columbus or the Ohio area on the weekend with the University of Minnesota. If you read his quotes, and Aaron Portzline did a big story on him today – he’s not – it didn’t sound good for Columbus.

“He’s a guy who was a small kid who’s gotten bigger and he’s a really talented puck-moving defenseman. And I think there are a number of NHL teams who are keeping their eyes on him. And if he doesn’t sign in Columbus – and right now the feeling is it’s not looking good for the Blue Jackets – I think you’re going to see a lot of teams jump into the race for this guy because he’s a really talented player.”

On if there's any chance he's a kid with Minnesota ties who is pre-destined to find his way to the Wild:

"His father is a minority owner of the Wild."

Okay then.

"Now I don't know if that means anything, but it can't mean nothing."