The hockey community has surrendered all its senses to the extravaganza that will unfold in Italy on the biggest international stage. While our favorite NHL stars get busy bringing glory to their country on the Olympic stage, trade discussions are likely to heat up during this period. To that end, trade chatter surrounding a sought-after veteran center is unlikely to wane.
Among many potential destinations, the Montreal Canadiens are expected to participate in the pursuit of a 34-year-old forward who will demand some attention before the trade deadline.
Canadiens Touted as a Likely Destination for Nashville Predators Star Ryan O’Reilly
If there is one player among the Predators besides Steven Stamkos who has dominated trade rumors, it’s Ryan O’Reilly.
O’Reilly’s decorated career spans five teams and 880 points in 1209 regular-season games. For the veteran forward, the future is teeming with possibilities, and the Canadiens could play a significant role in how things pan out for the Predators forward.
The Predators are unrecognizable this season. While the team finished at the bottom of the Central Division last season, just slightly better than the Chicago Blackhawks, it has a real chance to clinch the Wild Card spot and make the playoffs. In the Predators’ resurgence this year, O’Reilly has played a phenomenal role.
The 34-year-old has been trusted to be a real offensive force who can change the course of the game. To that measure, the Canadiens could be interested in welcoming O’Reilly to Montreal to solve a long-standing issue.
“My theory is they [Canadiens] like Ryan O’Reilly. But we don’t know if he will go anywhere. There’s been a lot of Blake Coleman talk, but I don’t believe that’s feasible,” Elliotte Friedman wrote in a recent contribution to Sportsnet.
If O’Reilly decides to take his hockey wisdom and skills to the Habs, the Canadiens will benefit greatly not only from his on-ice performance but from the leadership and veteran experience that he’ll undoubtedly bring to town. Moreover, O’Reilly is in the third year of his four-year, $18 million contract, and his $4.5 million AAV is cost-effective, further incentivizing any interest in the forward.
Nonetheless, a trade is easier said than done. Despite the unrelenting spike in trade speculation, O’Reilly simply might not want to leave. According to Pierre LeBrun’s report from December 19, the forward is not willing to move and might want to stay back in Nashville regardless of how things fare for the Predators.
“Some teams interested in Ryan O’Reilly were informed this week that the veteran center isn’t ready to entertain the idea of a trade at this time. He likes Nashville and would rather be part of the solution rather than abandon ship,” LeBrun stated in The Athletic.
