Nashville Predators center Ryan O'Reilly recently delivered a candid self-assessment following his team's continued struggles, a move that could put contending teams on high alert. After a 3-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, O'Reilly didn't mince words, expressing disappointment in his own performance and the team's inability to find success.
"For myself, No. 1 centre, and I just turn the puck over everywhere and can't make a six-foot pass to save my life," O'Reilly lamented after scoring the Preds' lone goal. "We're not going to have much success if I'm playing pathetic like that. It's stupid. I don't know the answer. I've had one good year in my career," he added.
O'Reilly's harsh self-critique comes amidst a frustrating season for the Predators, who have lost six of their last seven games and currently sit low in the Western Conference standings. Despite O'Reilly's respectable personal statistics of six goals and four assists in 16 games, his frustration is palpable. He emphasized that individual stats mean little when the team isn't winning.
While O'Reilly didn't specify his "one good year," it's widely believed he was referencing the 2018-19 season when he led the St. Louis Blues to a Stanley Cup victory and earned the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. That year, he recorded a career-high 77 points.
Despite his downbeat assessment, O'Reilly's overall career speaks for itself. The 34-year-old has amassed 834 points in 1,168 career games with the Avalanche, Sabres, Blues, Maple Leafs, and Predators. He's also a three-time NHL All-Star. Known for his two-way prowess, O'Reilly consistently wins faceoffs and contributes on both offense and defense.
O'Reilly's honesty could signal a turning point for both him and the Predators. His remarks may prompt Predators General Manager Barry Trotz to consider offers for the veteran center, especially if the team's struggles continue. Several teams, including the Hurricanes, Canadiens, Red Wings, and Devils, have reportedly shown interest in acquiring O'Reilly. The Vancouver Canucks are also reportedly searching for center help and have emerged as potential contenders to land O'Reilly.
With O'Reilly in the third year of a four-year, $18 million contract, any acquiring team would benefit from his reasonable $4.5 million cap hit. Despite his age, O'Reilly's skills and experience make him a valuable asset, potentially fetching a first-round pick in a trade.
Whether O'Reilly's comments are a wake-up call for the Predators or a signal to potential suitors remains to be seen. However, one thing is clear: Ryan O'Reilly's honesty and self-awareness will not go unnoticed by teams looking to bolster their rosters for a playoff push. As the trade deadline approaches, contenders will be closely monitoring O'Reilly's situation in Nashville.
