Red Wings Trade Targets: Ryan O'Reilly
Everyone needs centers.
The Detroit Red Wings' center depth is being tested. Andrew Copp's injury should not be taken lightly, and acquiring a player to fill the void is of the utmost importance to the organization's long-term success.
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So they can't fill the position needlessly; they must find the player who is the right fit. In the last installment, we looked at Elias Pettersson. Today, we will turn our attention to a player with many different skills, Ryan O'Reilly of the Nashville Predators.
Trade Board Ranking: 30 (The Athletic), 32 (Daily Faceoff), 28 (The Fourth Period)
Contract: $4.5 million (Expires in 2026-27)
Position: Center
Age: 34
Shoots: Left
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 207 lbs
Stat Line: 58 GP, 16 G, 23 A, 39 PTS, 18:53 TOI, 56.6 FO%
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O'Reilly has expressed his willingness to stay with the Predators this season and beyond, but that decision might be out of his hands. Nashville GM Barry Trotz is aware of where his team is in the standings and that they aren't in a position to compete this season.
This leaves him in a difficult situation, one which the Red Wings might be able to take advantage of. O'Reilly might want to go to a contender, but he would be the perfect second-line center for the Red Wings.
Tic tac GOAL pic.twitter.com/GAMg4Be65m
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) March 5, 2025
O'Reilly is the ultimate Swiss army knife. He can be utilized on the powerplay, penalty kill, and even strength. He is dynamite in the faceoff circle, owning a 56.6 percent success rate in the faceoff dot.
He's taken the 14th-most faceoffs and has the 13th-best faceoff win percentage among players who have taken at least 500 draws. If a team is looking for a reliable two-way player who can help with faceoffs, it's tough to look at O'Reilly and think he's not the guy.
Red Wings Trade Targets: Trevor Zegras Center is the most valued forward position.
The only concern with O'Reilly would be his age. If the Red Wings make a play for him, it sends mixed signals. With the Wild Card position slowly slipping out of their grasp it's fair to say that they are far from being considered a contender.
However, O'Reilly has already won a Stanley Cup, so that might not be his most important thing. Yes, every team wants to win the Cup. But, similarly to Patrick Kane, he might just want to be on a good team playing meaningful hockey.
O'Reilly would certainly get meaningful hockey if he played for the Red Wings. It doesn't get much more meaningful than scratching and clawing to remain in the playoff picture.
Do you think O'Reilly is the missing piece the Red Wings need? If the team acquired him, what would your reaction be? Let us know in the comments and vote in the poll. We would love to know what you think!
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