The Maple Leafs have changed their minds about Ryan O’Reilly!
O’Reilly himself made it sound like it was a rental experience.
HockeyFeed
It looks like there might be a new plan in motion when it comes to pending free agent Ryan O’Reilly in Toronto. According to Pierre LeBrun, the Maple Leafs and O’Reilly haven’t ruled out a potential return just yet. In his exit interview in May, O’Reilly himself made it sound like it was a rental experience, probably all well aware of the Maple Leafs’ salary cap situation and not thinking he could fit in as an option. But this is what LeBrun revealed on the latest Insider Trading on TSN:
“What’s happening is new Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving has communicated to O’Reilly’s camp that they have interest in bringing him back. O’Reilly has not closed the door on Toronto, but I would say in general is O’Reilly has really left all the options on the table as he approaches the unrestricted free agency market. So yes, the Leafs are an option, but he would also be arguably the No. 1 centre on an otherwise weak UFA centre market.”
It might not be a bad idea for the Maple Leafs to bring back the 2019 Conn Smythe Trophy winner for the right price. In 24 total games with the Maple Leafs, the veteran forward tallied seven goals and 20 points, and complemented the roster very well. He also looked quite good in the postseason as he played a significant role in Toronto’s first series win in 19 years.
These all are reasons why it makes sense that new general manager Brad Treliving is considering brining O’Reilly back or at least make him offer before he hits free agency on July, 1st.
Don’t you agree?
