Could the Blues Reunite with Their Former Captain?
The St. Louis Blues appear to be trending upward again. After missing the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2011, they returned to the postseason in 2025. While their first-round exit to the Winnipeg Jets was disappointing, it gave younger players valuable playoff experience.
The Central Division remains a difficult challenge, but the Blues have a path forward — one that might involve a familiar face from their 2019 Stanley Cup run.
Ryan O’Reilly, the former captain and Conn Smythe Trophy winner, left St. Louis in 2023 to sign a four-year deal with the Nashville Predators. His first season there was productive with 69 points, but his output dropped to 53 points last year as Nashville struggled and failed to meet expectations despite adding big names like Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault.
Predators GM Barry Trotz is still establishing himself in the front office, but if Nashville falters again, O’Reilly’s name could surface in trade rumors before the Olympic break.
For the Blues, who added Pius Suter and Nick Bjugstad for depth down the middle, O’Reilly would bring leadership, experience, and proven playoff ability that neither of those additions can fully match. Depending on the cost, a reunion could make sense to solidify the Blues’ middle six and boost their playoff chances.
The situation largely depends on how the Predators perform, but if they stumble early, it could benefit the Blues in both the standings and the trade market.
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