Predators Ryan O'Reilly Rejecting Trade Requests

You know you're a respected hockey player, when you don't even have formal no-trade protection on your contract, and are able to nix trades just based on a handshake agreement.

That's certainly been the case for Nashville Predators center Ryan O'Reilly, as teams continue to call the Predators management brass about the former Conn Smythe winner, and O'Reilly continues to stand his ground and ask to stick around Nashville.

Elliotte Friedman: Ryan O’Reilly continues to express his desire to stay in Nashville - Sportsnet (3/5)

The Montreal Canadiens, Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, Vegas Golden Knights, Minnesota Wild, and Detroit Red Wings have all expressed interest over the last two weeks, and O'Reilly has asked to stay in Nashville, as he doesn't want to move his young family.

O'Reilly has one year left on his contract at $4.5 million AAV, and now the Predators need to figure out how exactly they move on from here, as it's been reported a fire sale is coming, and the team is looking to blow it up.

This means, the likes of Jonathan Marchessault, Steven Stamkos, and potentially Filip Forsberg could be moved. Forsberg's been linked to the Washington Capitals, Marchessault to the Canadiens, and Stamkos to the Red Wings.

However, as far as O'Reilly goes, don't expect to see him traded on Friday, as he has no desire to go anywhere at this time.

Photo credit:  Jerome Miron-Imagn Images