NHL Rumors: Most Likely Team To Land Ryan O'Reilly At Deadline

The Colorado Avalanche have struggled to get depth scoring this season through their injury-riddled season. They have also been in search of a player who can assume the role of second line centre and play it well. Since Alex Newhook, J.T. Compher, or Evan Rodrigues haven't played up to par with what the Avalanche need from a player in that role, that is the team's biggest concern at the trade deadline.

Since Ryan O'Reilly is most likely available this season, the Avalanche are the most likely team that will land him. They are starting to get healthier, but that doesn't help fill the hole at centre. O'Reilly checks all the boxes for what Colorado needs. He has experience, is very strong defensively, can win faceoffs, and would be able to help on the penalty kill and second power-play unit.

O'Reilly may be having a down season, but it appears to be a major outlier. It's not likely he dropped off a long way and will stay like that. He's a former Selke Trophy winner and a Conn Smythe Trophy winner and will bring that playoff experience and two-way game that left with Nazem Kadri in the offseason back to the Avalanche lineup.