Hot Offer: Flames sign restricted free agent centre Ryan O’Reilly to offer sheet

CALGARY – The Calgary Flames signed restricted free agent Ryan O’Reilly to an offer sheet on Thursday.

The Colorado Avalanche, who own the 22-year-old centre’s rights after his entry-level contract expired last summer, now have seven days to match the offer.

If Colorado chooses not to match, the Avalanche would receive Calgary’s first- and third-round picks in the 2013 NHL draft.

Flames general manager Jay Feaster confirmed the offer sheet in a brief statement.

Multiple reports suggest the offer sheet carries an average annual value of $5 million. O’Reilly will make $1 million in base salary this season, with a signing bonus of $2.5 million. His 2013-14 salary will be $6.5 million.

That means that O’Reilly’s next contract with either the Flames or Avalanche would have to be worth at least $6.5 million annually to retain his rights.

If Colorado matches the offer, O’Reilly cannot be traded for a calendar year from that date.

The 33rd pick in the 2009 draft, O’Reilly has 39 goals and 68 assists in 236 games with Colorado since entering league.

He had 18 goals and 37 assists in 81 games last season.