Ryan O’Reilly: Don’t assume he’ll definitely be traded

Jonathan Di Gregorio
Ryan O’Reilly: Don’t assume he’ll definitely be traded
Credit: Getty Images

Many Habs fans are hoping to see Kent Hughes active on the trade market after the holiday freeze.

Although the Canadiens could count on the return of some injured players like Kirby Dach, the club still needs a second-line center to support and complement Ivan Demidov.

What's more, a veteran player could bring experience to a young team that is still making a number of mistakes due to their youth.

One player who would be a good fit for the Habs is Ryan O'Reilly.

The 34-year-old forward has 27 points, including 10 goals, in 33 games this season and is still in a position to help a team like the Habs for a few more years.

However, the Predators player must be particularly coveted on the trade market, and the price to pay could be high.

What's more, we learn today from an article published on TVA Sports that, according to Pierre LeBrun, O'Reilly would like to stay in Nashville and be part of the solution for the man who still has one more season left on his four-year contract worth an average of $4.5 million.

Although he doesn't have a no-movement clause, the forward has a verbal agreement with his GM Barry Trotz that he will be consulted in the event of a trade.

Now, this isn't the first Predators player to say he wants to stay in Tennessee even if the team isn't doing well, as we saw with Steven Stamkos, but, as we've seen so often, things can change very quickly in hockey.

What's more, O'Reilly isn't going to say publicly that he wants to leave Nashville to go win the Cup elsewhere, but who would really turn down the opportunity to join a team contending for top honors?

And for his part, if Trotz receives an incredible offer for his forward, will he really want to pass it up?

It remains to be seen whether that destination will be Montreal.


Overtime

– Too greedy?

– Three goals in 10 minutes.

– His first in the NHL.

– Wow!

– On the rebound.

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