The St. Louis Blues are turning things around.
After missing the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2011, the Blues made their triumphant return to the postseason in 2025. We won't talk about how it ended, but the first-round series against the Winnipeg Jets gave some younger Blues players a bit of key playoff experience -- and a taste for more.
The Blues have their work cut out for them in a tough Central Division, but they have a path to the playoffs if things go right for them. Perhaps that includes bringing back a key part of the 2019 Stanley Cup team.
Ryan O'Reilly signed a four-year contract with a cap hit of $4.5 million back in 2023 to join the Nashville Predators. The two-way centerman put up 69 points in the 2023-24 campaign but declined to just 53 points last season as the Predators were one of the most disappointing teams in the league.
General manager Barry Trotz, who signed O'Reilly back in 2023, is still trying to prove himself in the front office after doing so behind the bench for various teams. But things didn't work out for the Predators last season as veteran free-agent signings Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault did not live up to the hype.
The Predators are expected to turn things around a bit in the upcoming season, but O'Reilly could find his name in trade rumors if Nashville isn't in a playoff spot by the Olympic break.
Could the Blues pursue a reunion with their former captain and 2019 Conn Smythe Trophy winner?
Well, the Blues did add a few depth centers in Pius Suter and Nick Bjugstad this summer, but neither pivot brings the experience or talent that O'Reilly has. It could make sense for the Blues to bring back O'Reilly to shore things in the middle six, depending on the price and how the chips fall. At the very least, he's a realistic potential trade target for St. Louis.
Keep an eye on the Predators in the upcoming season, as a slow start could help the Blues not only in the standings but also in the trade market.