Insider floats the Predators’ $18 million star as the NJ Devils’ next target after losing Quinn Hughes

After starting the season with an 8-1-0 record, the New Jersey Devils have lost their way a bit. Looking to improve their team, they were considered the favorites to complete a trade with the Vancouver Canucks for their captain Quinn Hughes.

But in the end, there were no trade protection clauses attached to many of the contracts which made it impossible to clear cap space to take over the $7.85 million average annual player Hughes, who eventually joined the Minnesota Wild.

According to NHL insider Arthur Staple, that shouldn’t deny the Devils a chance to improve. On Saturday’s Daily Faceoff podcast, Staple linked up with the Devils’ Ryan O’Reilly of the Nashville Predators. He felt that trading for the veteran center could create a dynamic shift in the New Jersey club.

“If it was Ryan O’Reilly, this guy would change the locker room. This guy has been a champion. This guy has been there. This is still a very young and inexperienced group at its core; there are guys who have been there for nine or 10 years, Nico Hischier and Jesper Brat, but as I pointed out, they weren’t in a bad place.”

“The move they make is still going to be seismic, because it’s never been done with this team before. Now, you know you’re not doing well with Quinn Hughes, the waiting part is over, but maybe they’ll make another move. You shake it up a little bit, you start to recover. And all of a sudden, look at that, you’re feeling good about yourself again.”

O’Reilly was linked to the Devils by insider Elliott Friedman on the December 8 edition of the 32 Ideas podcast. There have been consistent rumors since then with the Devils expected to bring in the 34-year-old for his veteran presence as a centre-forward.

O’Reilly signed a four-year, $18 million contract with the Predators and has scored 150 points in 193 games for the team. His two-way play, especially during stoppage minutes, is a perfect fit for the Nashville game. But this season his shooting stats have increased slightly with a 3.3% increase in shooting percentage.

Ryan O’Reilly is attached to the Colorado Avalanche

Hockey News writer Lyle Richardson on Dec. 11 linked the NHL’s top team to Ryan O’Reilly’s former team, the Colorado Avalanche, as a potential suitor for the Predators forward.

“It’s no secret that coach Jared Bednar wants another position. One name that keeps surfacing is Nashville Predators veteran Ryan O’Reilly,” he wrote.

According to Richardson, the Avalanche could move Ross Colton to the wings and bring in O’Reilly in place of former 3C Jack Drury, who has been operating on the fourth line.

The Avalanche drafted O’Reilly back in 2009. He played with the club for six seasons and scored 246 goals in 427 games.