NHL Trade Rumors: Mike Johnson believes Toronto Maple Leafs' 'No. 1 choice' could involve $18,000,000 center reunion

The Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to be aggressive in the trade market this year. The team is currently in first place, but the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes are baring down on them. To create some distance, they may need to add to an already deep roster.

According to hockey insider Mike Johnson, that could include bringing back Ryan O'Reilly. The center, who is currently on an $18 million deal, has played with the Maple Leafs before.

Johnson said on "First Up" (7:35):

"So we know Ryan O'Reilly works well in Toronto. We know that he has the respect of the group. We know that he has a very strong relationship with the coach and the system, and has won doing it this way before."

Johnson acknowledged that O'Reilly chose to come to the Nashville Predators for a reason. His brother lives there, and he has a connection to the city. But it still makes sense in the analyst's mind:

"He might be my number one choice ... the way they're going right now, he would be number one for me, and then probably any more the playoffs would seem really attractive."

Johnson added that the Leafs need offense right now, so they can't go get a defensive or energy player. Not only should any trade addition bring good energy and life to the team, but they need to be able to score. O'Reilly fits that description.

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Toronto Maple Leafs target addresses recent hat-trick

If a recent outing is any indication, then the Toronto Maple Leafs would be getting good offense by adding Ryan O'Reilly. The center just scored a hat-trick in a win over the Calgary Flames.

The Toronto Maple Leafs may be in on Ryan O'Reilly (Imagn)

The Predators star said via NHL.com:

"We know we've got to put a run together and we need every point we can get. Tonight, two huge ones. And to go back to back against two teams that play hard ... it wasn't easy by any means but that's what we have to do. We have to find ways to win games if we want to climb back into this hunt."

If Nashville is to climb back into the playoff hunt, they will need more outings like this from Ryan O'Reilly.