Brad Treliving reacts to Ryan O’Reilly’ decision to leave Toronto

On the opening day of free agency, forward Ryan O’Reilly signed a four-year deal with the Nashville Predators. He will make $4.5 million against the salary cap on a four-year term.

Moments after the deal was completed, Darren Dreger revealed how the Leafs were competitive when it comes to both term and money to keep O’Reilly in Toronto, but the veteran forward instead to leave the Maple Leafs’ organization and test the market.

Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving reacted to the damning details around O’Reilly’s decision, per Lance Hornby.

“We had a pretty good idea which players would move on. I had a really good talk with Ryan. He loved playing here, loved our players, loved the room. But sometimes when you’re from this area, there’s a lot more to it.”

O’Reilly’s contract, a seven-year deal signed in St. Louis with an average annual value of $7.5 million, came to an end after he was traded to the Maple Leafs at the deadline. He was one of six new players former Toronto general manager Kyle Dubas brought in before March, 3rd in order to get the Maple Leafs to the Stanley Cup.

Lots has changed in Toronto since and O’Reilly leaving despite the fact that Treliving was looking to hold on to him is one of the modifications.

We’ll get to see in 2023-24 if O’Reilly made the right call.

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