Boston Bruins linked to acquiring a true number one center
With the Nashville Predators sliding toward lottery territory, trade talk is heating up around veteran center Ryan O'Reilly, and the Bruins have surfaced as a potential destination.
Bleacher Report's Joe Yerdon floated the idea this week, noting how Boston may look to solidify its center depth as the playoff race tightens.
«The Bruins are feeling themselves to start the season, and while they're riding high out of the gate, they're going to need to find a way to make it last to get back to the postseason,» Yerdon wrote. «Adding a veteran like Ryan O'Reilly could give them the kind of consistent player up the middle to balance things out.»
The comment recognizes both Boston's strong early push and the quiet uncertainty behind Morgan Geekie, who has taken a surprising star turn.
Yerdon pointed out the Bruins' internal competition at center, adding,
«While Morgan Geekie has been a stunning star for the Bruins up the middle, guys like Pavel Zacha, Elias Lindholm, and Casey Mittelstadt are trying to make things work behind him up the middle. Zacha and O'Reilly have virtually matching stats and contracts, and Zacha has even improved his defensive play a bit. That kind of equal play could make the idea of adding O'Reilly a moot issue, but O'Reilly's history of reliable defensive play and faceoff ability gives him an edge.»
Bruins and Predators may engage in trade talks
Yerdon also acknowledged Boston's roster challenges elsewhere, saying,
«The Bruins may have other areas they'd rather address than the center position, given their injuries and depth on defense. But any lineup deepening they can do while they battle with the rest of the Atlantic Division to see who can make the playoffs would be a huge help.»
O'Reilly, 34, remains a respected leader and defensively elite pivot.
He signed a four year, $18 million deal with Nashville in 2023 and has continued producing steadily. After a 69 point season in 2023-24 and 53 in 2024-25, he's off to another strong start with 21 points in 27 games, highlighted by his 300th career goal and a game-winner against Chicago on December 1.
His résumé is impressive, a Stanley Cup champion, Conn Smythe winner, Selke Trophy recipient, it explains why contenders monitor him closely.
Whether the Bruins pursue him or prioritize defense remains unclear, but the conversation has officially begun.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 9 | 108 ANSWERS Boston Bruins linked to acquiring a true number one center Should the Boston Bruins pursue Ryan O'Reilly before the trade deadline? | ||
| Yes pursue him | 40 | 37 % |
| Not a priority | 48 | 44.4 % |
| Only with retention | 11 | 10.2 % |
| Focus on defense | 9 | 8.3 % |
| List of polls | ||