Ryan O’Reilly inks two-year deal in KHL

[Jeff]

ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/ryan-o-reilly-inks-two-deal-khl-metallurg-164734209--nhl.html

this isn't a good sign is it
Myself and Jimbo had chat mid-week and we felt there could maybe be hockey this season..ah nope doesn't look like it both NHLPA and NHL are way off side and need get there heads a shake...... I best start practice my racquet ball skills as it looks like it will be a long f**k**g winter...

[rack55]

Jimbo has some very reliable inside sources, don't you doubt it. He has a personally addressed signed Brandon Prust 8x10, so, there ya go.

This contract looks to me like a KHL team getting around their rules. They can only have a certain amount of locked out NHL players signed to temporary deals, and those players have to meet criteria like GP and all star appearances etc.
So signing O'Reilly to a permanent deal means he doesn't take up a temporary NHLer spot or have to meet the criteria. The deal has an out clause if an NHL team offers him a higher contract, and with the mob run dicey cash payments over there, that's clearly in place to let him go back to the NHL if the lockout ends.