Avalanche fans love a good twist, and the idea of Ryan O'Reilly circling back to Denver taps into all of that while cooking up a potential Avalanche vs Wild showdown before the NHL Trade Deadline.
O'Reilly, 34, isn't just another name in a rumour mill, he was drafted by Colorado and could answer a center depth need if the Avalanche decide to push their Stanley Cup window even harder.
A recent article published by NHL Trade Talk puts the Avs right in the mix with the Minnesota Wild for the veteran Predators pivot, a scenario that could shape not only Colorado's depth chart but the entire Central Division playoff picture. Both clubs are considered realistic fits for O'Reilly's two-way game and faceoff prowess.
Divisional rival stands in the way of Avalanche's epic reunion.
The twist in the tale is that O'Reilly hasn't pushed for a departure from Nashville, and Nashville's management reportedly plans to treat him like he has control over his destination despite not having formal no-trade protection. That dynamic could complicate any deal, whether the Avs or Wild get serious.
On top of his history with Colorado, O'Reilly still offers real value in the defensive zone and in important playoff minutes, qualities Avalanche fans & analysts both crave. A reunion, even in a smaller role behind Nathan MacKinnon and Brock Nelson, could be exactly what the Avalanche want to protect leads and manage matchups down the stretch.
In contrast, Minnesota's recent acquisition of Quinn Hughes has upgraded that roster's identity, and multiple reports suggest the Wild view O'Reilly as the missing center piece that turns their roster into true contender status. That makes the looming deadline battle all the more intriguing.
What remains unclear is how much Colorado would be willing to give up to get the job done. Reports indicate a first-rounder and a top prospect might be baseline cost for O'Reilly, raising questions about how deep the Avalanche will dig.
Until there's confirmation, this remains a high-stakes rumour with all the flavour Avalanche fans crave: a familiar name, a club in cup contention, and a rival right there down the road. The next few weeks should tell us whether this story turns into reality or just another whisper.