Montreal Canadiens Eyeing Ryan O’Reilly
Recent insights from Pierre LeBrun indicate that the Montreal Canadiens are eyeing Nashville Predators’ center Ryan O’Reilly, a move that aligns with O’Reilly’s strong performance and valuable experience on the ice. However, given O’Reilly’s status as one of the most sought-after players, acquiring him will come with a substantial cost.
Potential Trade Costs
LeBrun speculates that the asking price may include a first-round draft pick along with a high-caliber prospect, which could pose a challenge for Montreal. While the Canadiens might find the first-round pick manageable—especially if their performance improves—they need to evaluate which of their prospects meet the criteria of an A-level player, as defined by Predators’ GM Barry Trotz.
Prospects Under Consideration
Players such as David Reinbacher, Jacob Fowler, and Adam Engstrom come to mind. Reinbacher’s current standing suggests his value might not reflect his potential, particularly in a team where their right-shot defense depth is lacking. Sending him to Nashville in exchange for a short-term solution at center might not be viewed positively from an asset management perspective.
Fowler, in light of current goaltending dynamics, appears off-limits for trade, especially given that a solid netminder can be pivotal for a successful franchise. The Canadiens have been leaning more on their offense recently but still recognize the importance of having a strong presence in goal.
Engstrom has made a splash in the AHL, earning his first NHL game recently, raising questions about whether this is a tactic to motivate other defensemen or if the Canadiens wish to showcase his talents. Other prospects like Michael Hage and Alexander Zharovsky—who has shifted roles to play center—might also spark Nashville’s interest, though trading away future center prospects for a player like O’Reilly, who may only be on the roster for a limited time, seems unwise.
Questionable Trade Candidates
As for the likelihood of trading players like Owen Beck, Joshua Roy, or Sean Farrell, it’s questionable whether these names would enthuse Trotz enough to part with such a valuable asset. An interesting scenario could involve Kaiden Guhle, whose utility when healthy is notable. Guhle, although not a prospect in the traditional sense, comes with a beneficial contract of four more years at a $5.55 million cap hit.
The dynamics of this potential trade will unfold over time, but speculations certainly hint at a complex negotiation on the horizon.
