possibility of another Justin Schultz situation happening this offseason:
Quote:
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."
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Portzline's article:
http://bluejacketsxtra.dispatch.com/...lly-03-10.html
Quote:
Mike Reilly was a gangly, 155-pound defenseman when the Blue Jackets drafted him in the fourth round (98th overall) in 2011.
He is now 6 feet 1, 190 pounds, a likely two-time All-American, a Hobey Baker award finalist as the nation’s top player and the first defenseman in almost 20 years to lead powerhouse University of Minnesota in scoring.
“We do our ranking and our evaluating of our prospects all the time, and he’s right at the top of the list, for sure,” Kekalainen said. “We’ve talked about adding skill and speed and quickness on defense. … He fits all those things. He has all the tools.”
But nothing has come easily for Columbus this season, and Reilly’s situation is a growing worry.
When Minnesota’s season ends — that could be in less than two weeks if the Golden Gophers don’t qualify for the NCAA tournament — Reilly is expected to notify Minnesota, the NHL and the Blue Jackets that he’s forgoing his senior season to turn pro.
Then it will get very interesting. The Blue Jackets will have 30 days after Reilly informs Minnesota he’s leaving school, or until June 1 — whichever date is later — to sign him to a two-year, entry-level contract.
If he doesn’t sign with the Jackets, Reilly would become an unrestricted free agent.
“I haven’t looked too much into the overall situation, just kind of focusing on our season,” Reilly told The Dispatch before Friday’s game. “It’s been brought up a little bit, but I’m trying not to think about it too much.
“It’s something I’ll assess at the end of (Minnesota’s) season, when we’re done. You never know how it’s going to go.”
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Quote:
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Ryan Kennedy, a senior writer for The Hockey News who follows prospects and the draft for the magazine, said Reilly would be a first-round pick if the 2011 draft were held again. He would be a midfirst-round pick in this year’s loaded draft, too, Kennedy said.
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update:
Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie
U of Minn D Mike Reilly, playing for USA at #WHC, informed CBJ this week he is going to explore UFA market but CBJ still a consideration.
Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie
Reilly has insisted on multiple occasions he isn't ruling out CBJ but he does want to field offers/opportunities from rest of league.