Senators Reportedly Had Interest In Ryan O'Reilly At Deadline

The Ottawa Senators made some exciting moves at the trade deadline this season and there are rumors that they had at least one backup plan.

According to Elliotte Friedman, Ryan O'Reilly was potentially on the Senators' radar at the trade deadline. Whether they expressed interest or not or if it was before talks with the Buffalo Sabres for Dylan Cozens remains unknown. O'Reilly would have definitely been a strong addition to the likely playoff-bound Senators after surging after the 4 Nations Face-Off.

The Senators are more comfortably in a playoff spot right now than they have been this season and while adding Cozens and trading Josh Norris in what should be seen as an upgrade due to health and production since, Fabian Zetterlund was an underrated addition as well.

O'Reilly would have brought the great two-way game he has been known for his entire career and above average production. He would have played center and depending on the other moves made if the Senators did make an attempt to go after O'Reilly, the lines would have been interesting.

O'Reilly wouldn't have been a rental if the Nashville Predators would have traded him this season. The 34-year-old has two more years at $4.5 million AAV. It is a great deal the Predators have him on, but it seems like the team is going to try to re-tool some more and come back with many of the top players and give it another go. If it doesn't work out again, we might see O'Reilly back on the Senators' radar and something materialize this time.