Ryan O’Reilly’s name has started to creep into the conversation as a trade target of some teams around the NHL who are looking for a boost at center going down the stretch and into the playoffs. He’s in the second season of a four-year $4.5 million AAV deal he signed with the Nashville Predators as a free agent in the summer of 2023. There is no trade protection clause in his contract.
But the Predators have a specific plan for their veteran leader that might disappoint some teams, according to insider Elliotte Friedman on Hockey Night in Canada.
Here’s what I understand the Predators are telling teams: 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…