NHL Trade Rumor: Insider Pierre LeBrun clears the air around Predators' plans for $18,000,000 center

Nashville Predators center Ryan O’Reilly’s name has surfaced in trade rumors as the March 7 deadline approaches. O’Reilly is in the second year of his four-year, $18 million contract with the Predators.

In Friday's column for The Athletic, insider Pierre LeBrun clarified that the Nashville GM is not actively shopping the 33-year-old center and rather sees O’Reilly as a key player in their future plans.

"I inquired into the Ryan O’Reilly situation Thursday," LeBrun wrote. "First, the Nashville Predators are not actively shopping the 33-year-old center... As general manager Barry Trotz told me last month ... his plan is not to tear things down but rather be aggressive again next summer (with hope that Predator will improve next season)."

O’Reilly has scored 13 goals and 13 assists in 41 games this season. He has been crucial in the team’s 15 wins, contributing eight goals and seven assists, including three game-winners. However, his performance has dipped during Nashville’s 26 losses.

LeBrun noted that while the Predators are not actively looking to trade O’Reilly, they will listen to serious offers.

"So O’Reilly absolutely still fits into that moving forward ... The Preds aren’t shopping him. But they will listen on him," LeBrun wrote.

Also, If O’Reilly’s agent, Pat Morris, identifies a team the player wants to join, the situation could change.

O’Reilly, a Stanley Cup winner with the St. Louis Blues and veteran with 295 goals and 502 assists in 1,114 NHL games, remains a valuable player for the Predator. Nashville wants him as part of their plans unless an offer too good to refuse comes along.

Predators won over the Blackhawks in shootout with Ryan O'Reilly receiving more ice time

The Nashville Predators defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 in a shootout at Bridgestone Arena. Ryan O'Reilly played 22:31 minutes of ice time and registered four shots on goals. This was one of the only five games this season where O'Reilly played for over 22 minutes.

Steven Stamkos scored first for the Predator on a power play at 8:07 of the first period. Connor Bedard tied it for the Blackhawks in the second period with a wrist shot from Tyler Bertuzzi's pass. Alec Martinez gave Chicago a 2-1 lead with a deflected point shot at 7:57.

Filip Forsberg tied the game for Nashville with 3:03 left in the third, scoring from the right circle. In the shootout, Stamkos, Ryan O'Reilly and Gustav Nyquist scored for Nashville. Juuse Saros made 24 saves and Arvid Soderblom stopped 39 shots for Chicago.