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Now signed, O’Reilly apologizes for situation

Ryan O'Reilly, Gabriel Landeskog

Gabriel Landeskog #92 (R) of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates his powerplay goal at 5:35 of the second period along with Ryan O’Reilly #37 (L) in their game against the Buffalo Sabres at the First Niagara Center on March 14, 2012 in Buffalo, New York. (March 13, 2012 - Source: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images North America)

Ryan O’Reilly signed an offer sheet with the Calgary Flames yesterday that comes with an average annual value of $5 million and will pay him $6.5 million in 2013-14.

Mere hours later, the Colorado Avalanche matched it, which means the organization and player are stuck together for at least a year.

That might be awkward considering the Avalanche previously balked at O’Reilly’s contract demands and his father wrote a scathing email to the Denver Post, blasting the organization and how it handled contract negotiations.

Then again, both sides might be able to put this all behind them.

O’Reilly took a step in that direction when he said via Twitter, “Sorry to everyone about the situation. I’m very glad to say that it is over and I now can focus on what I love to do.”

The 22-year-old two-way center also expressed his excitement at the prospect of joining “back up with the boys” and playing in front of the Avalanche fans.

Before this, he reportedly was offered and rejected the same two-year, $7 million contract that Matt Duchene got. Now O’Reilly will make nearly double Duchene in 2013-14.

When asked if he thought O’Reilly’s deal was a “little outrageous,” Duchene sidestepped the question.

“It’s not my job to worry about that,” Duchene told the Denver Post. “My job is to go play hockey. So, that’s management’s job.”

At the same time, Duchene also said that it will be good to get O’Reilly back in the room.

“We’re all friends with him and it’s going to be good to have him back,” Duchene said.

Related:

O’Reilly offersheet: ‘Now we can move forward as a hockey club’ says Avs GM

That was fast: Avs match Calgary’s offer sheet for O’Reilly

Colorado responds after Flames offer sheet O’Reilly

Flames sign O’Reilly to offer sheet

Ryan O’Reilly’s dad thinks the Avs don’t value character

O’Reilly’s dad blasts Avs management via Twitter

‘It’s gotten ugly,’ says Avs player on O’Reilly contract dispute

Report: Avs want roster player, top prospect for O’Reilly