NHL Rumors: Montreal Analyst Pitches Trade Idea to Land Ryan O'Reilly
The big question now is: how far should the Canadiens go for Ryan O’Reilly?
How serious are Ryan O’Reilly Canadiens talks with Nashville?
Insiders like Pierre LeBrun say the Montreal Canadiens have real interest in Ryan O’Reilly, and the cost being floated is steep. The ask starts with a first round pick and an A level prospect, which some in Montreal media already consider too rich for a 34 year old center on a contract that does not run forever.
Other local voices have tossed around names like David Reinbacher, Jacob Fowler, Adam Engstrom, Michael Hage and Alexander Zharovsky as possible targets for Trotz, but each comes with its own red flag from a Canadiens perspective.
Interesting pre-game interview from Ryan O'Reilly with @WillyD1025, especially this part:
— Alex Daugherty (@AlexDaugherty1) November 29, 2025
"We've got a great group of guys here and we want to stay together. When you lose, that's when bad things happen. So right now we're fighting for our lives." pic.twitter.com/uw5c6WwaWz
Reinbacher is a rare right shot blue chip defense prospect, Fowler looks like a future solution in goal, and flipping those pieces for a short term fix at center feels like dangerous asset management for a team still trying to build a sustainable core.
Some in Montreal believe a slightly overpaid package might sway Trotz, especially given last year’s Justin Barron for Alexandre Carrier deal that worked out well for the Predators. The wrinkle is that Barry Trotz is said to want not only a first round pick but also an established young NHL player, and that is where the conversation turns toward one very specific name.
Should Canadiens risk Kaiden Guhle in a Ryan O’Reilly deal?
Multiple reports in Quebec suggest Kaiden Guhle's name is circulating in trade talks, and that he could be the kind of young, NHL ready defender Trotz would demand.
On paper, Guhle checks every box a rebuilding or retooling club would want: 23 years old, effective when healthy, already playing tough minutes and locked in for four more seasons at a very team friendly $5.55 million cap hit.
The #GoHabsGo can trade Kaiden Guhle in a package for a 2C moving forward.
— Alex 🇨🇦 (@AbsCoverage) November 28, 2025
The problem, of course, is that he has struggled to stay healthy, which makes him both a gamble to keep and a gamble to move. Montreal does have depth on the left side with Lane Hutson, Mike Matheson, Arber Xhekaj, Jayden Struble and Adam Engstrom, which is why some argue that moving Guhle instead of Reinbacher might be more defensible.
The flip side is that Kent Hughes has built his reputation on patience and refusing to overpay for short term help.
Trading a potential long term top four defender for a season and a half of O’Reilly would be a huge philosophical shift, especially when other veteran options like Steven Stamkos or even a cheaper piece such as Kiefer Sherwood are also being discussed.
Photo Credit: Tim Fuller-Imagn Images
