This stalemate seems to be hurting all parties involved. At 22 years of age, O’Reilly is coming off his best NHL season (55 points) and it would make sense for him to be on the ice, building off that impressive run and showing that he can produce near that level on a consistent basis. Meanwhile, the Avalanche need a forward who can step in and produce right now. Gabriel Landeskog and Steve Downie are both hurt, and the team is averaging just 2.10 goals per game so far. 

Adrian Dater suggests there could be another possible reason for why this whole scenario is taking so long to resolve itself though. He notes that O’Reilly becomes eligible for arbitration this summer if he plays in at least six games this season. While that obviously wouldn’t be a good enough reason for Colorado to put off signing him, it likely takes away the option of a short-term deal. And, with the way these talks are going, eliminating any option isn’t helping at the moment.

The hearing had been scheduled for July 25.

“We’re very pleased to agree to terms with Kyle and avoid arbitration,” Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said. “We drafted Kyle in 2003, watched him develop into a solid NHL defenseman and look forward to having him in a Detroit uniform for the next two seasons.”

Quincey was acquired by the Red Wings on February 21 as part of a three-team trade that saw Quincey go from Colorado to Detroit, Steve Downie go from Tampa Bay to Colorado, and a prospect and a 2012 first-round pick go from Detroit to Tampa Bay.

Quincey had three points in 18 regular-season games with the Red Wings, and two points in five Stanley Cup Playoff games.

Selected by the Red Wings in the fourth round of the 2003 NHL Draft, Quincey has 18 goals and 77 assists in 257 games with the Wings, Kings and Avalanche.

A source said the two-year deal is worth $5.3 million in total. Downie ended the 2011-2012 campaign with 14 goals and 27 assits.

Downie was traded to the Avalanche from the Tampa Bay Lightning last season for Kyle Quincey.

The 24-year-old Downie has 12 goals and 28 points in 55 games with the Lightning this season. Quincey has 5 goals and 23 points in 54 games with the Avalanche.

• According to Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch, it appears netminder Steve Mason only has a mild concussion, and isn’t expected to miss much time. Still, Allen York will serve as back-up to Curtis Sanford when the Blue Jackets visit the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday.
• St. Petersburg Times Damian Cristodero reports Steve Downie did not play in the third period on Tuesday due to an upper-body injury. The injury may have occurred when he was stood up on a hit from Toronto’s Dion Phaneuf.
• Tampa Tribune reports Mattias Ohlund skated on Tuesday for a second straight day in his recovery from arthroscopic surgery on both knees.
• Buffalo News reports that Ryan Miller appears to be making progress with his concussion, according to the opinion of coach Lindy Ruff. Also Jochen Hecht has proclaimed himself 100 percent and ready to play on Wednesday after recovering from a concussion.