As the 2025 NHL trade deadline approached, the New Jersey Devils found themselves in a tough spot. Despite a promising start to the season and Stanley Cup aspirations, a wave of injuries—most notably to Jack Hughes, Luke Hughes, and Brenden Dillon—crippled their postseason hopes.
Why the New Jersey Devils Couldn’t Land Ryan O’Reilly from the Predators
According to Devils insider Jim Biringer of RG.org, New Jersey made a serious push to acquire veteran center Ryan O’Reilly from the Nashville Predators. O’Reilly, a former Conn Smythe winner, would have brought leadership, faceoff dominance, and playoff experience to the Devils’ lineup. However, despite his lack of no-trade protection, the Predators operated as though he had one. O’Reilly made it clear he wanted to remain in Nashville and help the Preds in their retooling.
The asking price was steep—reportedly a package of three premium young assets, similar to what Nashville sought for Juuse Saros before ultimately re-signing the goaltender. For O’Reilly, the Predators wanted a high draft pick, a top prospect, and a young NHL-ready player. New Jersey was unwilling to pay that premium, especially given their injury-plagued situation and uncertain playoff fate.
While the move didn’t materialize, the interest signals GM Tom Fitzgerald’s aggressive approach. The Devils are poised to be active this offseason. After a disappointing year, they may look to move a young piece—such as defenseman Simon Nemec or forward Dawson Mercer—to bring in a proven top-six forward.
The bigger question now becomes: What will the Devils prioritize this offseason? If health returns to the core, and a few strategic roster upgrades are made, New Jersey could easily bounce back into Cup contention next season.
Find the Latest New Jersey Devils News & Rumors
Stay updated on all New Jersey Devils rumors, find out what channel the Devils game is on TV today, and join our NHL Playoff Hockey Pool for cash prizes. Bookmark nhltraderumor.com and don’t miss a beat.
