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Avalanche's Ryan O'Reilly signs 2-year deal with Metallurg

Ryan O'Reilly of the Avalanche has been signed to a two-year permanent contract with KHL team Metallurg Magnitogorsk.

By UZ
Doug Pensinger

With the NHL lockout still going as strong as ever, center Ryan O'Reilly has remained the only Colorado Avalanche restricted free agent not signed to a new contract. On Thursday, it was announced that he signed a contract, but not of the type that Avalanche fans were probably hoping for. The contract for O'Reilly was announced as a two-year permanent contract with Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Russian KHL.

The contract makes O'Reilly the first NHL star to sign a permanent deal in Russia since the start of the lockout. It was agreed by mutual consent that if an NHL team were to offer him a more lucrative contract, he can move back to the United States. The Avalanche have not made much, if any, noise regarding O'Reilly during the off-season.

Other NHL players on Metallurg include Ryan's brother Cal O'Reilly and Penguins star Evgeni Malkin. The team is currently fourth in the KHL's Eastern Conference.