O'Reilly surprised many when he signed a 4-year deal with the Nashville Predators in July of 2023 after being acquired by the Leafs at the previous trade deadline.
Many fans speculated as to why he didn't simply stay with his hometown team with the rumoured mutual interest in discussing an extension. However, after signing his deal in Nashville, O'Reilly revealed on TSN's OverDrive why he didn't re-up in Toronto. The spotlight, as O'Reilly confirmed, did factor into his decision.
O'Reilly essentially revealed that the spotlight of Toronto was too much for him and his family and Nashville offered a much quieter setting.
One Leafs fan took to social media on Wednesday after the Leafs 3-2 win over the Predators and reminded O'Reilly of it in the harshest way possible.
The Predators went on a spending spree this past off-season signing Brady Skjei, Steven Stamkos and Johnathan Marchessault to massive deals to accompany O'Reilly, Filip Forsberg and Roman Josi, and things have not gone according to plan.
O'Reilly has just 5 goals on the season, and as one fan mentioned, he was invisible last night.
The 2019 Stanley Cup Champion was -2, registered no shots, won just 4 faceoffs and had 5 hits in the loss.
Considering the Predators were supposed to be a highly offensive team with their additions in the off-season, they have struggled to score with O'Reilly, Stamkos and Marchssault combining for just 17 goals beyond the quartermark of the season.
Given the lack of success, O'Reilly is probably wishing he stayed in Toronto when he had the chance to, but hindsight is 20-20, and the Leafs have done well without him.
POLL | ||
5 DECEMBRE | 3638 ANSWERS Former Maple Leafs Forward Ryan O'Reilly Gets Destroyed By Fan on Social Media Do you wish Ryan O'Reilly stayed in Toronto? | ||
Yes | 1253 | 34.4 % |
No | 1552 | 42.7 % |
Yes, but not with that contract | 833 | 22.9 % |
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