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RUMOR: Boston Bruins acquire a true number one center in a blockbuster trade
The Bruins suddenly find themselves attached to a familiar name as the NHL rumor mill wakes up.
With the Nashville Predators sinking toward the lottery, veteran center Ryan O'Reilly is increasingly viewed as a trade candidate, and one analyst believes Boston should be near the front of the line.
Bleacher Report's Joe Yerdon floated the Bruins as a strong landing spot for the 34 year old pivot this week, pointing to Boston's need for stability down the middle and O'Reilly's long track record.
«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.»
Yerdon noted that Boston's center group has been a work in progress despite Morgan Geekie's breakout.
«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,» he explained. «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.»
Boston Bruins linked to Ryan O'Reilly
As a fan, you can see both sides. Depth is always a premium in the Atlantic Division grind, but Boston's growing list of injuries on defense might force Don Sweeney to prioritize the blue line instead.
Even Yerdon acknowledged that dilemma.
«The Bruins may have other areas they'd rather address than the center position, given their injuries and depth on defense,» he wrote. «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 signed a four year, $18 million deal with Nashville in 2023 and remains a respected two way force. His résumé - a Stanley Cup, Conn Smythe, Selke Trophy and steady point production - makes him one of the most reliable veterans still producing. He has 21 points in 27 games this season, including his 300th goal.
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