Avalanche match Flames' offer sheet for O'Reilly

DENVER (AP) - The Colorado Avalanche have matched Calgary's offer sheet to restricted free agent Ryan O'Reilly.

The Flames announced earlier Thursday that they had signed O'Reilly to a multiyear offer sheet. The Avalanche had seven days to match it but took only a few hours to decide.

The team announced the decision during the first period of Thursday night's game against Calgary.

TSN in Canada reported the deal is worth $10 million over two years, which includes a $2 million signing bonus.

Had Colorado not matched the offer it would have received Calgary's first- and third-round picks in the NHL draft. By retaining O'Reilly, the Avalanche cannot trade the forward for a year from the date of the signing.

The 22-year-old O'Reilly has not played this season while trying to work out a contract with Colorado. He was the team's leading scorer last season with 55 points.