Report: Devils & Predators Discussing Ryan O'Reilly Trade

The New Jersey Devils have lost their superstar center Jack Hughes for the rest of the season, and are now trying to put the pieces together to stay in contention. To that end, they've shown interest in Nashville Predators veteran center Ryan O'Reilly.

As #njdevils sort through their options on center market, I’m told they’ve expressed interest in #preds Ryan O’Reilly, who has two years left on his deal.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 6, 2025

Insider Frank Seravalli reports that O'Reilly has jumped to the top of their considerations as they look to fill their void up the middle, and have reached out to Nashville.

The 34-year-old has two years remaining on his $4.5 million cap hit, with no trade protection. But Predators GM Barry Trotz has insisted that he will treat the valued team leader as if he does have a full no-trade clause, and he'll run any proposed destination by him first. Whether New Jersey would be a preferred landing spot for him is unknown.

O'Reilly chose to sign in Nashville when he became a free agent in the summer of 2023, after helping the Toronto Maple Leafs to their first (and only) playoff series win in this incarnation of the team.

Across a 16-year career, O'Reilly has 298 goals and 512 assists for 810 points in 1,131 games. He helped the St. Louis Blues to the Stanley Cup in 2019 with a Conn Smythe-winning performance, with 23 points in 26 games. Over 81 career playoff games, he has 26 goals and 67 points.

The Devils currently find themselves clinging to third place in the Metropolitan Division, but with Hughes out and now Dougie Hamilton on the shelf as well, they lead Columbus by just four points, and the NY Rangers by five, but both teams have games in hand.