New contender pushing hard to acquire Ryan O’Reilly ahead of deadline

Earlier this week, Carolina Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell admitted to the potential plan of making a splash on the trade market, stating to The Athletic Hockey Podcast that their “1st round pick is up for play this year.”

It’s no secret that the Canes are looking for an offensive boost ahead of the March 3rd deadline, especially since losing Max Pacioretty for the remainder of the season after suffering yet another Achilles tear.

While the Hurricanes could be focused on Chicago Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane or San Jose Sharks’ Timo Meier, there is a report from The Fourth Period that Waddell could push to acquire Ryan O’Reilly of the St. Louis Blues.

TFP confirms that “while talk has picked up on the Meier front, the Hurricanes are zeroing in on O’Reilly, who comes with a $7.5 million salary cap hit.”

The Blues already trade their other huge trade chip in Vladimir Tarasenko to the New York Rangers earlier this month. St. Louis has not come to terms on a new contract extension with their captain and could move him closer to the trade deadline.

“The Canes have been linked to O’Reilly for several weeks, but trade talks could pick up with the deadline inching closer.”

It would be expected for the Blues to absorb a portion of O’Reilly’s contract, but the belief is also that they would ask for a first-round pick as part of a package. Carolina has made it clear it’s willing to give that up for the right move.

The Hurricanes also have just over $10.1 million in LTIR cap overage space, according to CapFriendly, and could make this O’Reilly trade possible.

Stay tuned.

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