The Montreal Canadiens aren't going to get help at center like they thought they would for the 2026-27 season after Michael Hage's decision to stay at the University of Michigan for another season. That leaves the Habs with a hole in their lineup, which some fans hope they'll fill with a legitimate top-six center such as Robert Thomas or Dylan Larkin. However, if Kent Hughes doesn't want to make that big swing, a stop-gap option could be Ryan O'Reilly from the Nashville Predators.
O'Reilly has one year remaining on a deal that pays him $4.5 million annually. He isn't going to break the bank or deplete the prospect pool by acquiring him, but he has the potential to give you a solid 74 points in 81 games like he did this past season, while also providing another two-way presence. The veteran hasn't missed more than three games in either of his three seasons with the Nashville Predators, recording 20+ goals in each.
It might feel like O'Reilly isn't a big enough splash, but his 74 points would've put him fourth on the Canadiens this past season, behind only Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Lane Hutson. Ivan Demidov's most common linemates this season were Oliver Kapanen (37 points) and Alex Newhook (25). How would the Russian rookie have looked if he had a veteran like O'Reilly next to him for an entire season?
An O'Reilly acquisition would leave the Canadiens with an interesting opportunity. The veteran center would certainly contribute enough to get Montreal back in the playoffs, and if fans are worried about how he'll hold up during the postseason, they should be adding Hage, who will be another year older and more developed, just in time to take some of that load off the veteran and further bolster the lineup.
Ryan O'Reilly's real value to the Canadiens
Don't get me wrong, Thomas is a former Stanley Cup Champion and would be with the Canadiens much longer than O'Reilly. He really should be the team's first option. However, if it does end up being O'Reilly, Montreal will be getting someone who has seen everything he could see in his hockey career, which should really help the young Habs feel even more comfortable in their next postseason.
O'Reilly, by all accounts, is a dressing room favorite in Nashville. Montreal does seem to have a tight-knit group, but a veteran like The Factor is going to bring a much-needed lightness to the locker room, something that could've been lacking in their Eastern Conference Finals loss. Another veteran leader could've done wonders when things got tight against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Anyone who scoffs at the idea of O'Reilly didn't watch enough Predators hockey last season. He can still play, and he brings an element that people outside the locker room can't see. If the Canadiens don't go big-game hunting, O'Reilly could be the short-term answer that can add another layer to the culture-building in Montreal.
Add us as a preferred source on Google