Insider Reports Former Leafs Forward and Cup Champion Emerges As Realistic Trade Target For Brad Treliving
There could be a reunion between Ryan O'Reilly and the Toronto Maple Leafs, as Nashville looks to unload their hefty contracts after a dismal start.
What started out as a brilliant offseason has turned into a complete disaster for the Nashville Predators so far in 2024-25.
With the signings of Jonathan Marchessault, Brady Skjei, and Steven Stamkos, the Nashville Predators were supposed to be heavy favorites for at least a Western Conference Finals appearance.
But fast forward and the team is sitting 31st in the league with a brutal 6-11-3 record and a -18 goal differential. There have been talks about GM Barry Trotz having a fire sale, and that's music to Brad Treliving's ears.
Toronto is in desperate need of a third-line center who can produce offensively, be sound defensively and be a true veteran of the game.
So why not bring back the guy who helped you win your first playoff series in 20 years?
Welcome Back Ryan O'Reilly
It would be a bittersweet reunion for O'Reilly and the Maple Leafs.
After coming over in a trade in 2022 and being a key factor in their first-round series win, it was almost a lock he would stick around.
We touched a bit on O'Reilly in our article Early Trade Candidates Emerge for the Toronto Maple Leafs That Could Be a Perfect Fit and expanding on that, there's reason to believe O'Reilly fits like a glove.
James Mirtle doubled down on Sportsnet's Fan590 and said that while O'Reilly is a hard get, the front office wouldn't be opposed to acquiring him once again:
The reunion would bring Craig Berube and Ryan O'Reilly together again, as the former Blues mainstay lifted the Stanley Cup with Berube in the 2018-19 season.
But locker room turmoil and a new spotlight that bothered him, O'Reilly ducked town and left for the Music City.
He signed with the Predators in July 2023 and was supposed to help them get over the hump.
But with inconsistent goaltending and uncertainty about his future with the club, O'Reilly could also be looking for a way out again.
Toronto offers him that if he has moved on from what bothered him previously.
Toronto also offers the 33-year-old a much better chance to win, as the team is currently in first place in the Atlantic, and is primed to have a deep playoff push amidst a new and improved defense and goaltending corps.
For what it's worth, O'Reilly is the perfect piece for the Maple Leafs and always has been.
Consistently able to produce, O'Reilly has 11 points in 20 games this season to give him 285 goals and 782 points over his 16-year career.
Initially drafted by Colorado, he spent time there before heading to Buffalo then St. Louis, Toronto followed after, and finally Nashville.
He's been a key part of every team he's been on and offers great defense with 20-25 goal potential.
Having O'Reilly in between rookies Fraser Minten and Nikita Grebenkin would be an incredibly fun third line that offers a bunch of speed, size, and scoring.
Plus, the two young players could learn heaps from the elder O'Reilly.
Brad Treliving should call up Barry Trotz and see if they can make a deal for O'Reilly happen.
It's Toronto's best option that doesn't cost a fortune, and it gives O'Reilly a chance to win.
It's a match made for each other, just like it's always been.
| POLL | ||
Should Toronto bring back Ryan O'Reilly? | ||
| For Sure! | 532 | 46.1 % |
| No too expensive | 623 | 53.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
