The Nashville Predators’ start to the season has left fans and management searching for answers. After an active offseason that brought in defensemen Nicolas Hague and Nick Perbix, along with veteran forward Erik Haula, expectations were high for a stronger campaign. Yet, inconsistency has once again plagued the team.

With a disappointing record and little offensive spark, questions about roster changes have already started to surface. The team’s veterans are feeling the weight of expectations, and one in particular is drawing attention as a possible trade candidate if things continue to slide.

Is the Predators’ $18M Veteran Centre on the Move?

As the Predators struggle to find form, Ryan O’Reilly’s name has surfaced in trade talks around the league. The 34-year-old forward, currently in the third season of a four-year, $18 million deal, has become the subject of growing speculation among NHL insiders.

On The Sheet with Jeff Marek, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period addressed who might be the first to go if Nashville doesn’t rebound soon.

“Probably Ryan O’Reilly,” Pagnotta said. “I mean, he unofficially has a no-trade. He doesn’t have one, but they’re not gonna do him dirty. They’re gonna send him somewhere, if they do move him, somewhere where it’s gonna be a contender.”

​That comment reflects what many around the league already sense, that O’Reilly, while respected and still productive, could be an attractive piece for a contender looking for leadership and playoff experience. His six goals and six assists in 17 games this season point out his ongoing ability to contribute, but Nashville’s lack of team success may make his contract more expendable as the team looks to reshape its future.

Pagnotta also mentioned that “there are a lot of teams that are gonna be looking at guys like O’Reilly, like Brayden Schenn,” hinting that experienced, versatile centers could draw early trade interest before the deadline. For a team like Nashville, whose offense ranks near the bottom of the league, moving a veteran for younger assets or draft capital could be part of a longer-term plan.

​O’Reilly’s own frustration has been evident. After a 3-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday, he criticized his play, saying,

“For myself, No. 1 centre, turn the puck over everywhere, can’t make a six-foot pass to save my life. We’re not going to have much success if I’m playing pathetic like that.”

O’Reilly’s words painted a picture of a player deeply unsatisfied with both his form and the team’s results.

Over his 17-year NHL career, O’Reilly has earned respect as one of the league’s most dependable two-way forwards. With 836 points in 1,169 games and a Conn Smythe Trophy from his 2019 Stanley Cup run in St. Louis, he’s proven his value time and again. But as Nashville sits near the bottom of the Central Division, both sides may be considering what comes next.

Also read: NHL Trade Rumors: Canadiens Have Former Maple Leafs Target in their Crosshairs

If the Predators decide to shake things up, O’Reilly could be the first domino to fall. As Pagnotta noted, his lack of formal trade protection makes any deal “a lot simpler, a lot less messy.” For a veteran who still has plenty to offer, a move to a contender could reignite his season and perhaps signal the beginning of another transition phase for Nashville’s roster.