Predators Set Massive Asking Price for Ryan O’Reilly

Ryan O'Reilly, Nashville Predators center, skates during warmup

Nashville Predators GM Barry Trotz has made it clear he's not happy with how his troops have performed, and he's willing to make changes to the roster. With playoff-hardened centers in strong demand around the league, one player that many contending teams see as a great fit is Ryan O'Reilly. He has a Stanley Cup and a Conn Smythe Trophy on his resume, and could be a nice boost for teams looking to get to the next level in the postseason.

But insider Pierre LeBrun has revealed that Trotz's price tag for the 34-year-old veteran is sky-high. "I'm told, when and if the Predators are ready to go down that route, it'll likely be a first-round pick PLUS an A-level prospect to get into the conversation on Ryan O'Reilly."

As mentioned on Insider Trading, the price on Ryan O’Reilly if the Predators decide to move him later this season would be a first round pick plus an A level prospect … https://t.co/0b3JYSYueP
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) November 25, 2025

Of course, it's been six years since O'Reilly played the playoff hero for the St. Louis Blues, and he'll be 35 by the time the trade deadline hits in March. He has one season left after this on a four-year, $18 million deal with a $4.5 million cap hit. He has six goals and 13 points in 22 games thus far this season.

But amongst names like Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault, LeBrun says O'Reilly is still the most sought-after Predators player who could be available.

We do know that O'Reilly's name came up at last season's deadline as well, as teams poked around. The Preds made it clear that they would treat the veteran as if he had a no-trade clause, even though he doesn't own one. The decision would be his. It's thought that he turned down advances from the Toronto Maple Leafs at the time. That's a team that acquired him at the deadline back in 2023.

Now another Canadian team has great interest, in the Montreal Canadiens. We'll see if the Habs, or any other team, is willing to pay that hefty price tag.