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O'Reilly shocked by Avalanche slide

Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Buffalo Sabres center Ryan O'Reilly is shocked by what's become of his former club, the Colorado Avalanche.

The NHL's worst team this season, the Avalanche have won just 16 of their 56 outings. The franchise drafted O'Reilly in 2009 and he spent six seasons with the club prior to his trade to Buffalo in 2015.

"It's surprising. They have a lot of great players over there and maybe it's a lot of bad bounces," O'Reilly told Paul Hamilton of WGR 550. "I haven't been watching them too much, but to see them that low in the standings it's surprising and I think those years just happen."

The Avalanche have won just three times in their last 16 tries, dating back to Jan. 12. It's a steep fall for a club that finished with 112 points in 2013-14.

Colorado's poor showing has led to calls for change in Denver, with longtime stars like Matt Duchene and captain Gabriel Landeskog frequently mentioned in trade rumors.

If and when the Avalanche stars are moved elsewhere, O'Reilly just hopes it's not to the Atlantic, the Sabres' division.

"I don't want to have to play against those guys all the time," O'Reilly told Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News. "They're good players that will help any team."

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