NHL Rumors: Insider Reveals Huge Update In Ryan O'Reilly Trade Talks

Nashville Predators forward Ryan O'Reilly skates during 2025 game.

Ryan O’Reilly trade chatter is picking up around the league, but the player is not feeling it.

The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun says teams that checked in were told the Nashville Predators center isn’t ready to even entertain a move right now, because he genuinely likes it there and wants to be part of the fix.

Ryan O’Reilly not ready to consider a trade

According to LeBrun, O’Reilly is not looking to bail, and the Predators are treating him like he has trade protection even though he technically doesn’t.

Pierre LeBrun: Re Canadiens: I think the ideal fit for them would be Ryan O'Reilly; but...I just don't think he's in a place mentally...to go there with management in Nashville, I think he wants to play this out longer - Melnick in the Afternoon (12/17)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) December 18, 2025

This season, the 17-year veteran forward has put up 10 goals and 27 total points across 33 games played. He's also winning 57% of his faceoffs and has contributed five game-winning goals. He's definitely a coveted name for contending teams, but surprisingly, he might not even want to join a playoff team.

What the Ryan O’Reilly trade pause means for contenders

A bunch of teams would love a proven two way center with playoff miles, especially with so few legit centers floating around. That’s why clubs were hoping those talks could get rolling early. For now, it sounds like everyone has to wait, and even the idea of something happening by the March 6 deadline is being treated like a maybe, not a lock, like it once was.

The Predators are reportedly looking for a first-round pick and an A-level prospect in return for Ryan O’Reilly, per @PierreVLeBrun 👀 pic.twitter.com/gSF3czFL9X
— BarDown (@BarDown) November 26, 2025