NHL trade rumors: Elliotte Friedman reports special treatment of $18,000,000 Nashville Predators forward despite lack of no-move contract

NHL analyst Elliotte Friedman stated on Saturday that the Nashville Predators prefer to have Ryan O'Reilly stay on the team. The Canadian forward signed a four-year $18-million contract with the Predators on July 1, 2023. Friedman said that while there was no explicit trade protection provision in the contract, Nashville is handling the situation as if there was one.

During the Saturday Headlines on Sportsnet segment, Friedman reported that there was speculation that some clubs had made inquiries about O’Reilly’s availability.

“And here's what I understand the Predators are telling teams. They are saying he may not have protection language in his contract, but he is being treated as if he has a no-move clause. I think the Predators’ preference is to keep him because they want him to win, especially when they start to put the pieces back together at the end of this year, and also they see him as a leader on and off the ice,” Friedman said.

Given the absence of a no-trade agreement, Friedman went on to list certain conditions that might lead to the veteran forward moving to a new team. Friedman said:

“However, they (Predators) are going to at least consider it under two conditions. Number one, the offer has got to be something that really excites them. And number two, it has to be something O'Reilly would agree to.”

“And as far as I can tell, at this point in time, I don't believe O'Reilly has indicated in any way, shape or form, he is looking to move. So with O'Reilly, it's something that really has to excite Nashville. And B, it would have to be something that he would be comfortable with if it gets to that point.”

O’Reilly has played for five different teams in the NHL and is considered one of the best two-way forwards in the league.

Nashville Predators have had a disappointing season

The Predators have a 13–22–7 record this season and are 15 points away from a playoff spot. It is an underwhelming performance from a team that analysts had tapped as potential Stanley Cup contenders in October. Their 4-1 loss at home to the Washington Capitals was reflective of the poor run they’ve had this season.

“We had all kinds of chances, [and it’s] a little mystifying at times, standing on the bench, and things aren't going in,” Nashville Predators head coach Andrew Brunette said via NHL.com.

“I think everybody's going through a heck of a year right now where nothing's really going their way…Right now, nothing's really going our way, and there's nothing we can do except wake up and go back to work.”

Analysts stated that the team needs a massive rebuild if they are to improve.