Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Although it may seem like a long shot, the Toronto Maple Leafs might be able to lure Ryan O’Reilly back to town, all thanks to his relationship with Craig Berube.
When the Toronto Maple Leafs brought in Ryan O’Reilly in the spring of the 2023-24 NHL season, he was expected to come in and bring some much needed help to their playoff push, and he was the perfect piece who had the experience and pedigree to give them that edge.
Ryan O’Reilly Garnering Heavy Trade Interest: Insider
Now in Nashville he hasn’t had that much success either, with his team faltering after heavy expectations. With minimal time left in his career and the chance to win a Cup again waning, he might be willing to entertain a deal.
According to Elliotte Friedman, there are some teams who would love to bring him in and the Maple Leafs are definitely one of them; whether O’Reilly likes it or not.
Speaking on the DMase, Vingan, and Daunt Show, Friedman explained that O’Reilly is going to garner interest once the trade deadline approaches, and that the Maple Leafs were a team who were already approaching him; but were rejected:
There will be interest in Ryan O’Reilly when and if the time comes; last year they asked him about Toronto, I don’t think he was crazy about that idea; New Jersey would covet a player like O’Reilly; there would be others.
He wasn’t crazy about the idea given he felt that the team lacked the desire to truly win as a team and there were too many egos that caused some issues; but that’s up for debate.
Ryan O’Reilly’s Connection to Berube Could Open the Door for a Toronto Reunion
However, people can change and when faced with a chance to win, he might be willing to forgive and it helps that he would be working underneath his old head coach.
With Craig Berube, O’Reilly was a key piece in their Stanley Cup winning run, and he plays the exact style of game Berube wants, with the offensive and defensive skills necessary to help carry the load in the top-six.
During that run, O’Reilly had 23 points in 26 games (8 goals, 15 assists) and put up his best offensive numbers under Berube. The two work well together and it could lead to some magic in Toronto.
However, that all depends on whether or not O’Reilly feels that whatever held the team back before is gone, but considering how up and down this season has been so far, there’s a good chance he might not want to come back at all.
But we can never say never in the land of the NHL, and Craig Berube’s closeness with Ryan O’Reilly may be the key factor in helping the Maple Leafs get past their playoff demons.
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Craig Berube Could Attract a Familiar Face Back to the Maple Leafs
Can Craig Berube lure Ryan O’Reilly back to the Toronto Maple Leafs?
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