NHL Rumors: The Devils Went After Nashville's Ryan O’Reilly, But Failed

The New Jersey Devils were reportedly close to landing Ryan O’Reilly at the trade deadline but ultimately walked away due to Nashville’s steep demands. 

Devils’ Deadline Dilemma: Injuries Derailed Playoff Hopes

Entering the 2024-25 season with Stanley Cup aspirations, the Devils’ campaign took a brutal turn due to key injuries. Jack Hughes, Luke Hughes, and Brenden Dillon were among the sidelined players, derailing their playoff push and forcing management to reconsider their deadline strategy.

Why the O’Reilly Deal Fell Through

Per Devils insider Jim Biringer of RG.org, New Jersey aggressively pursued Ryan O’Reilly, the former Conn Smythe-winning center, to bolster their lineup with leadership, faceoff prowess, and playoff experience. However, despite not having a no-trade clause, O’Reilly expressed his desire to stay in Nashville and aid the Predators’ retooling efforts.

Nashville’s asking price was exorbitant—reportedly demanding a high draft pick, a top prospect, and an NHL-ready young player, mirroring their earlier ask for Juuse Saros before re-signing him. The Devils, already hampered by injuries and a fading playoff outlook, refused to meet that cost.

What’s Next for the Devils?

Though the trade didn’t happen, GM Tom Fitzgerald’s pursuit signals an aggressive offseason approach. After a disappointing season, New Jersey could explore moving a young asset—such as Simon Nemec or Dawson Mercer—to acquire a proven top-six forward.

The big question now: Where do the Devils focus their efforts this summer? If their core stays healthy and smart roster upgrades are made, they could quickly re-emerge as a Cup contender in 2025-26.

Image - Tom Horak-Imagn