We’re over a week into the NHL season, but we’ve still got plenty of NHL rumours. Team executives are still thinking about the seasons ahead and how to fit players under the salary cap. The cap is going up next season, but no one knows the exact amount as of yet. One name that could hit the free agent market is Ryan O’Reilly. However, Blues management may want to get a Ryan O’Reilly contract done sooner rather than later.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Ryan O’Reilly Contract Talks Set
TSN and The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun mentioned that they Blues captain and general manager Doug Armstrong will sit down for talks in January. O’Reilly is in the last year of a deal he signed when he was with the Buffalo Sabres. The Clinton, Ontario native has a $7.5 million cap hit. However, he also turns 32 in under a couple of months.
In my latest Rumblings: Agent Pat Brisson on preparing for an potential, eventual Patrick Kane trade, plus nuggets on Bunting, ROR and Larkin ⤵️
via @TheAthletic https://t.co/jVZ4I4HZQR
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) October 17, 2022
O’Reilly has only played in one game this season, but he’s scored at least 20 goals in all but one season with the team. He’s been a key part of the franchise’s 2019 Stanley Cup victory and has a Selke Trophy and a Conn Smythe to show for it.
What it Means
The Blues do have some contract concerns with Jordan Kyrou and Robert Thomas each got big-time extensions. St. Louis will likely get the Vladimir Tarasenko‘s contract off the books, but one wonder if it will be a trade with a player that comes back in return.
There are options for O’Reilly and his camp, which is led by veteran agent Pat Morris of Newport Sports. Could “ROR” take a discount to fit players like Scott Perunovich and others under the cap? The Blues could also trade him if they feel they can’t make a deal happen, but don’t want him to walk away for nothing.
However, the season is still in its early stages. The Blues’ position in the standings will be clearer soon enough. The start of the new year will be pivotal for the Blues in so many ways.
Blues’ Ryan O’Reilly owns poor play in sweep to Avalanche: ‘It was pretty pathetic.’ https://t.co/uVg9nyyl0G pic.twitter.com/aRi1Tb2PtS
— theScore (@theScore) May 24, 2021
