Ryan O'Reilly Could Finally Be Legitimate Trade Candidate This Season

Sunday, September 13, 2026
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Almost every season since he signed his four-year free agent contract with the Nashville Predators in 2023, Ryan O'Reilly's name has been floated around at the trade deadline for teams in need of a veteran center & leader with a strong playoff pedigree.

But even though O'Reilly's contract does not contain any trade protection, the Predators GM at the time, Barry Trotz, said he would be treating the respected veteran as if he did have a no-trade clause. He would run any potential offers by him first. O'Reilly, however, wasn't interested in going anywhere. He likes it in Nashville, and made it pretty clear he wasn't going to approve of any trades. 

However, there's a new tune playing in Music City. Trotz is gone, and new GM Chris MacFarland has already shown that he's not shy about making changes. He's made several trades, including the popular youngster Luke Evangelista. It stands to reason that MacFarland doesn't necessarily owe the same "trade protection" consideration to O'Reilly that his predecessor did. After all, he's not the one who signed him to that deal. 

Add to that, the fact that the 35-year-old will be a pending UFA at season's end, and you can easily see an O'Reilly trade, if the situation calls for it. 

Hockey News analyst Ryan Lambert even suggests a move could come before the end of October. 

"If the Predators get off to a slow start, maybe it's time for... MacFarland to hang a for-sale sign around (O'Reilly's) neck. Every team in the league is on the lookout for a guy who can be your No. 2 center, put up 20-plus goals, and play good defense. O'Reilly fits that archetype perfectly."

He's certainly not slowing down with age, as last season he posted his highest goals and points totals in seven years, with 25 markers and 74 points while averaging 20:24 ice time per night. 

And if the former Stanley Cup winner is dealt to a true contender, who knows, we might even get to hear another epic post-Cup live on-air interview like this one: 
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