Leafs target Ryan O'Reilly in potential blockbuster trade in Toronto!

While reporting on the possibility of Toronto getting help to bolster the Maple Leafs’ depth at centre, the Athletic’s James Mirtle isn’t closing the door on reuniting with forward Ryan O’Reilly.

The Nashville Predators had a great summer, signing superstars like Steven Stamkos, Brady Skjei, and Jonathan Marchessault. Despite adding these starters to a roster that already includes the likes of Filip Forsberg, Roman Josi and Juuse Saros, the Predators have fared worse than the Penguins with a 6-11-3 record so far this season.

So trade conversations emerged in Music City, prompting Mirtle to explain how it might be possible to bring O’Reilly back to Toronto. A team insider explained on Sportsnet’s FAN 590 that although O’Reilly will be difficult to acquire, the front office in Toronto would not be opposed to acquiring him once again.

“I don’t think the ROR thing is 100% impossible, the front office still loves him.”

Not only would O’Reilly get the chance to reunite with his former teammates, but he would also be welcomed by one of his former head coaches in Craig Berube.

Leafs’ bench boss and star forward in St. They were members of the St. Louis Blues and lifted the Stanley Cup together in the 2018-19 season. O’Reilly was also named the Conn Smythe winner for his incredible playoff run.

O’Reilly left the Maple Leafs in the summer of 2023 when he signed with Nashville as a free agent.

While a reunion sounds great, the Maple Leafs, Predators or another team would have to part with key assets to keep O’Reilly’s salary, especially as Mirtle thinks a trade could be realistic.

This could be what stops this potential transaction…

Other targets have been offered to the Maple Leafs in Nick Bjugstad of the Utah Hockey Club and even Yanni Gourde of the Seattle Kraken. But fans in Toronto would love to reunite with ROR.

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