Ryan O'Reilly shut down a trade that would reunite him with Toronto Maple Leafs: report
Over the last decade, the Toronto Maple Leafs have become a marquee destination for players in the twilight of their careers.
Names like Joe Thornton, Jason Spezza, Wayne Simmonds, and Patrick Marleau have all called Toronto home in the latter stages of their life in the NHL.
But while 34-year-old Clinton, Ont. native Ryan O’Reilly had a brief stint with the Leafs a few years ago, it appears that he’s shut down any possibility of a reunion once again.
O’Reilly was traded to the Leafs in 2023 alongside Noel Acciari as part of a three-team trade that also included the Minnesota Wild. He put up 11 points in 13 games before adding nine points in 11 playoff contests.
Speaking with NHL Network on Thursday night, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman shared a report about O’Reilly’s availability at the trade deadline.
With a cap hit of US$4.5 million on a deal that runs through 2027, Friedman said that while O’Reilly does not have a no-trade clause, the Predators are giving him the opportunity to green-light his final destination.
And though he’d played in his home province once before, it appeared a second stint in Toronto didn’t appeal to the 2019 Stanley Cup, Conn Smythe, and Selke Trophy winner.
“Toronto looked into O’Reilly… and they were told that he didn’t have any interest in that reunion,” Friedman reported.
The New Jersey Devils have reportedly checked in on Ryan O'Reilly, but Nashville isn't in a hurry to trade him. @FriedgeHNIC talks about O'Reilly's situation in Nashville.@asgrimson | #NJDevils | #Smashville | #NHLTradeDeadline pic.twitter.com/1eDBgisjao
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) March 7, 2025
O’Reilly has 16 goals and 24 assists for a total of 40 points in 59 games for the Predators this season.
The Predators were slated on paper to be one of the NHL’s better teams after an active offseason that included adding players like Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault, but it hasn’t come to fruition. On deadline day, they’re clear sellers, as the team sits in 13th place, 15 points out of the final Western Conference playoff spot.
The NHL trade deadline is set for later today at 3 p.m.