Nashville Predators' Veteran Starting To Pop Up In Trade Mill Again

There might have been a little more hope for the Nashville Predators this season to bounce back after a terrible 2024-25 campaign, but so far, they have struggled for the most part. The team is 5-7-4, has had lots of trouble scoring, and is becoming separated from the pack of teams vying for a playoff spot.

Since this is the second season that the team has played like this, changes will have to be made and some of the veterans will likely eventually be headed out. According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, "Nashville...Ryan O'Reilly, his name's starting to pop up again."

O'Reilly has been one of the best players on the Predators this season, tied for the team lead in goals with six and second in points with 10 in 16 games. The 34-year-old is the top line center and still has a drive to win, criticizing himself after a recent loss.

O'Reilly would garner a lot of interest and a strong return as he has another year left on his deal at just $4.5 million AAV and is a top-6 center, so many teams are in the market for. There would not only be a bidding war, but the price would surely be higher than the Predators could have hoped for.

O'Reilly has zero trade protection, making it really easy for the Predators to move him anywhere. He is also still elite in the faceoff circle and a great two-way player who has had playoff success. If the veteran is traded this season, that would be one of the signals that the Predators have finally thrown in the white flag and the rest of the team is up for grabs as well.