Top Nashville Predators Trade Candidate Revealed

The Nashville Predators are a better team than they were last season and are still in the race for the playoffs in the weak Western Conference, but they aren't contenders and likely won't go anywhere if they do squeak in. What they can do is alter their team, get value for certain players, and retool again as it doesn't seem like they want to rebuild with Juuse Saros, Filip Forsberg, and Roman Josi still on the team.

The Predators are four points out of the playoffs, but have won just three of their past 10 games. They are trending in the wrong direction and there is interest in multiple of their players. According to Pierre LeBrun, "I think Ryan O'Reilly is the player that will get the most attention before March 6th. His contract is easier to absorb."

O'Reilly, 35 years old, is scoring at a great rate and serving as the top line center for Nashville. The veteran has 20 goals and 56 points in 57 games while also being a former Selke Trophy winner, playing nearly three minutes on the power play per game and nearly two minutes shorthanded each game.

O'Reilly not only has no trade clause on his contract, so he can be traded anywhere, he has another year left on his deal at $4.5 million AAV. In comparison to players like Steven Stamkos, who two years left at $8 million AAV and trade protection, and Jonathan Marchessault, who has three years left at $5.5 million AAV with trade protection, there's a clear cut best and most attractive option to move and to target for other teams.

Moving O'Reilly would really hurt the Predators down the middle, but this is the season in which to trade him for top value if they were to do so. He's eventually going to start to decline, especially from a point-per-game which he has never hit and only come close to twice in his career. This is a major bounce-back from last season and he already has more points and a +31 better +/- on the season in 22 fewer games. With the inconsistency of the Predators, O'Reilly could head back in the direction of last season. Nashville has much to figure out, but a top pick or prospect could really help reshape the team and make them better longer than just next season.