The Nashville Predators have signed forward Ryan O’Reilly to a four-year, $18 million contract. The 32-year-old center, known for his strong two-way game and faceoff prowess, is one of the few remaining visorless players in the NHL.
Breaking: Ryan O'Reilly has agreed to a four-year deal with the Nashville Predators, a source told @wyshynski. pic.twitter.com/O6M3B2sEE9
— ESPN (@espn) July 1, 2023
O’Reilly had a productive 2022-23 season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, scoring 16 goals and adding 14 assists for a total of 30 points. Throughout his 14-year NHL career, O’Reilly has accumulated 702 points (256 goals, 446 assists) in 991 games. He has also appeared in 26 playoff games, contributing 23 points (eight goals, 15 assists).
Predators head coach Barry Trotz praised O’Reilly’s signing, stating, “Ryan O’Reilly’s a serial winner, a Stanley Cup champion, a Selke winner. He’s been MVP in the playoffs. I’ve worked with Ryan at international events like the World Cup of Hockey. He’s been on Olympic teams. He reminds me of a Joe Pavelski-type of guy that continues to produce. People follow him, and everybody around him is better. And for our young guys and our culture, that was a critical piece for us.”
O’Reilly’s signing comes as part of a busy free agency period for the Predators, who also signed defenseman Luke Schenn to a three-year contract and forward Gustav Nyquist to a two-year contract. The team recently bought out the contract of forward Matt Duchene in a surprising move.
The addition of O’Reilly is expected to bring a winning mentality and veteran leadership to the Predators’ roster. Mitch Marner, O’Reilly’s former teammate in Toronto, said that O’Reilly “knows what it takes to go the distance.” Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe also praised O’Reilly’s impact in the playoffs, stating, “we got him for these moments.”
O’Reilly’s new contract carries a cap hit of $4.5 million per season. The Predators will be hoping that his experience and leadership can help guide the team to success in the coming years.