I'm beating a dead horse here. And sorry for the seemingly pessimistic view, but this is how it is at least in my opinion.
Reilly doesn't hold anything against the organization, but he's in a unique situation where he can control where he plays, and have teams come to him with offers and promises. I think he loves the city and state of Minnesota/Minneapolis and would like to play for the Wild. I don't even rule him out returning for his senior season with the Gophers, but I still doubt he signs with the Blue Jackets. Portzline (I know, people don't think he's reliable anymore and you're cool to have the opinion. But he is closer to the team than any of us so I do give that some credibility.) said in a chat he doesn't think Reilly signs with us. Of course this was before the Wisniewski/Leopold trades. Could things have changed? Maybe, but I doubt it. From the rejected ELC last summer to the very awkward intermission interview on FSOhio when asked about his future, I just don't see him coming.
To me, this is the key part according to the CBA:
- Because he turns 22 this calendar year, Reilly is considered 22 for the purpose of signing an ELC.
- Players both 22 and 23 years old are slotted the same, which is into having a mandated 2-year ELC, rather than a 3-year deal that a younger player would have to sign.
- Because of age, Reilly's ELC would not be able to slide under any circumstances. It takes effect in the NHL season that it's signed.
- Reilly would still be bound by maximum allowed compensation packages under the CBA terms.
- Reilly would be an RFA with arbitration rights at the expiration of his ELC.
So here's what it comes down to. If Reilly signs in Columbus before April 11, his two-year ELC will have one year remaining on it by the time the new league season begins on July 1. He would be an RFA with arbitration at the end of
next season, in July 2016. If he signs anywhere else, this would not happen until July 2017.
Signing in Columbus gets him to a new second contract a full year faster, and to total UFA status a full year sooner. And Columbus is the only team that can offer that at all.