from Michael Arace of the Columbus Dispatch,

The Jackets own Reilly’s rights for 30 days after he leaves Minnesota. The Gophers’ season ended last week with a 4-1 loss to Minnesota-Duluth in the first round of the NCAA tournament, but Reilly did not leave. Instead, he elected to concentrate on his studies and listen to the advice of “family consultant” Pat Brisson — who happens to be one of the most prominent hockey agents in the world.

When does a “family consultant” in Brisson’s line of work tell a young man to go back to school? When the young man does not want to play for a team that holds his rights, and the young man is eight weeks away from unrestricted free agency.

There is a soft spot for NCAA athletes in the NHL collective bargaining agreement. Since four years have passed since Reilly’s selection, he can opt for free agency on June 1. Although the Jackets have made a yearlong push to sign him, they must know their efforts have been unsuccessful.

Had Reilly dropped out and signed with Columbus at the first opportunity, he could have made his debut Tuesday at Nationwide Arena. He would have begun collecting on a fat salary. Most important, he would have burned the first of a two-year contract, and he could start working on an extension as early as July 1.

Instead, Reilly has decided to concentrate on his studies, which sounds sincere by a half. Why? He is going to blow off his senior year.

Reilly has a unique opportunity, and he is going to take it. It is his right. He gets to pick his NHL team, and maybe it will be his hometown Minnesota Wild — in which his father holds a minority share.

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