Ryan O’Reilly Signs With Nashville Predators

NHL free agency is in high gear, and the Nashville Predators have grabbed forward Ryan O’Reilly off the free agency market. Once the Preds bought out center Matt Duchene, you knew new GM Barry Trotz had something planned to fill the void. The former St. Louis Blues and Toronto Maple Leafs center will be moving on to the site of the NHL draft in Music City, Smashville. He had 16 goals, 14 assists in 53 games split between the two teams. He was dealt to the Maple Leafs at the trade deadline.

Ryan O'Reilly is signing a four-year $4.5M deal with the Nashville Predators, per @FriedgeHNIC. ✍️ pic.twitter.com/feWy18jYBO

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Ryan O’Reilly Headed to Nashville

The Preds may not be done, as they still have almost $17 million in cap space after signing O’Reilly to a four-year $4.5 million pact. That is down $3 million from his previous contract, but he is 32 years old, and that sounds about right. It  has been reported by Darren Dreger that Toronto was trying to retain O’Reilly, but he decided to look elsewhere. The term and money was not an issue.

Toronto was trying to retain Ryan O’Reilly. The term and money wasn’t an issue. ROR decided to look outside of Toronto.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 1, 2023

O’Reilly should fit in well with the rebuilding Preds. With Trotz in charge, you know he will build a strong team going forward. While O’Reilly is no youngster, this contract will carry him to the ripe age of 36. He can still play and is an excellent playmaker. He is also a strong power play contributor with 73 goals, 128 assists. O’Reilly is skilled in the faceoff circle with a career 55.8 percent success rate. Faceoffs are vital, especially in the postseason.

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What This Means Going Forward

It does seem strange that the Preds bought out Matt Duchene who is the same age as O’Reilly. Duchene has had 316 goals, 428 assists in his 976 NHL games. He collected 22 goals and 34 assists last season, yet Trotz bought him our in favor of O’Reilly. He must know something we don’t, and with O’Reilly in there the Preds are in good hands.