Deen’s Daily: Is Ryan O’Reilly On The Move From Nashville?

Hellebuyck earned yet another shutout against the Avalanche. The Penguins were run down in a big game, Montreal took Dallas all the way to a shootout, and the Bruins bounced back from their terrible six-game losing streak. Also, could the Nashville Predators trade Ryan O’Reilly?

All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — January 12.

Colorado Hockey Now

The Winnipeg Jets have hosted the Avs twice this season and Colorado couldn’t score in either game. Hellebuyck shutout the Avalanche again, blanking Jared Bednar’s club for the third straight (regular season) game dating back to last April.

Around the NHL

Alex Ovechkin: The Capitals captain scored on the empty net late against Nashville on Saturday to pull within 22 goals of passing Wayne Gretzky for the most in NHL history. Washington has 39 games remaining this season.

Saturday Headlines: Elliotte Friedman said during the second intermission of Hockey Night in Canada that Ryan O’Reilly, who doesn’t have trade protection on his contract in Nashville, is being given the respect to determine what he wants to do. This comes on the heels of season-long speculation that the former Avs center and Blues captain is on the move.

O’Reilly is in the second of a four-year contract signed with the Preds in July 2023.

“The Predators preference is to keep him because they want him to win,” the NHL Insider said. “However, they are going to at least consider it under two conditions. The offer has got to be something that really excites them. And it has to be something that O’Reilly agrees to.”

It doesn’t sound like things are inching towards a trade, but it’s something to certainly keep an eye on before the March 7 trade deadline. Especially if Nashville continues to struggle.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Pens had an opportunity to gain ground in the wildcard race and instead got blown out by another team also fighting for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference.

Florida Hockey Now: The Panthers were looking to take advantage of a struggling Boston team and instead fell in OT to the Bruins in perhaps one of the more exciting endings to a game all season.

Ottawa Hockey Now: The Sens signed Ridly Greig to a four-year contract extension on Friday. Here’s an evaluation of the terms of the deal, which locks him in with the other core forwards of the team.

It may not have been noticeable in the game against Pittsburgh, but, do the Sens have a goalie problem?

Montreal Hockey Now: The Habs took the Dallas Stars all the way to a shootout before falling 2-1. What a run they’ve been on. Also, Patrik Laine returned and had the lone Habs goal. And yes, it was another power-play goal.

San Jose Hockey Now: What analytics matter? Key Sharks’ micro-stats at mid-season.