Truth exposed in Mitch Marner’s attempted trade to Nashville!

Earlier this summer, rumours emerged that the Nashville Predators and general manager Barry Trotz were making room on the roster for a blockbuster trade that would send Mitch Marner from the Toronto Maple Leafs to Music City. The deal never materialized, but we recently found out more on the attempted trade thanks to Predators forward Ryan O’Reilly, who is also Marner’s former teammate in Toronto. Reporter Nick Kypreos revealed how O’Reilly went to GM Trotz and tried to push him into pursuing the Maple Leafs’ winger, seemingly confirmed the rumour that Nashville was after Marner.

“Prior to the Predators spending a whack of dough on free agents (Steven) Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei, ex-Leaf Ryan O’Reilly did his very best to convince GM Barry Trotz to make a push and trade for Mitch Marner,"  Kypreos said.

O’Reilly has only had good things to say about his former teammate, telling reporters including TSN’s Mark Masters, how valuables Marner is, and we can only imagine this is what he wanted for Nashville before the Predators went on to sign Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei as free agents.

“He brings so many things. He’s so competitive, but I think just how elusive he is. With the way he can create plays, and just being off balance, and being able to put these pucks in the right areas. Just such a competitor,” O’Reilly said.

“Getting to play with him in the short time I did, it was just so fun. You see the way he sees the game, at such a unique level.”

Since the opening of free agency and the significant moves made by GM Trotz and the Preds, it is unlikely that this trade will ever materialize. However, this was a great vote of confidence for Marner, who is seen by many, including former teammates turned rivals, as a respected talented forward. Enough that O’Reilly would go to his front office and push them to trade for him.