Trade option lands on Ryan O’Reilly’s lap

The St. Louis Blues are having the worst start possible to the 2022-23 season. They sit in 31st position in the standings and have just put an end to an eight-game losing streak last night, by beating the San Jose Sharks 5-3.

Captain Ryan O’Reilly doesn’t know what to tell reporters anymore when asked about what’s going on. Head coach Craig Berube is on the hot seat and trade rumours are getting so loud that now insiders feel options have landed on O’Reilly’s table.

There is a sense, according to team insider Jeff Gordon, that there are only two untouchables in St. Louis, in Jordan Kyrou and Robert Thomas, and that GM Doug Armstrong would consider moving his captain. for draft picks and prospects. After all, he is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Pierre LeBrun suggested O’Reilly would look good centering the Avalanche’s second line, and Adrian Dater of Colorado Hockey Now even mused about a possible reunion of O’Reilly and the Avalanche.

It is true that the top forward kicked off his career with the Avs in 2009-10, spending six seasons there before he was traded to the Buffalo Sabres back in 2015.

There is however a strong belief that Vladimir Tarasenko could be the trade chip moved in St. Louis. He did previously request a trade, though he does hold a no-trade clause.

O’Reilly could welcome a return to Colorado, but he lacks the no-trade protection so he could end up anymore despite the fact that this potential trade plan has been suggested by many insiders. O’Reilly, who posted 21 goals and 58 points

in 78 games last season. is off to a slow start with just two goals in 12 games.

Let’s see where this goes.