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Ryan O'Reilly discusses his feelings about playing against his former Leafs tonight
When the Toronto Maple Leafs acquired Ryan O'Reilly from the St. Louis Blues ahead of the trade deadline last season, there a sense that it would be far more than just your average rental. O'Reilly was returning close to home and playing in a loaded offense that had Stanley Cup aspirations.
After a lot of back and forth, an extension was no longer on the horizon and he decided to cash in elsewhere with Nashville offering him a 4-year deal worth $18 million. In 7 games for the Predators this season, the veteran has 2 goals and 4 points, averaging 20:06 TOI, and is 53.2% in the face-off circle.
His Predators play host to his former Maple Leafs tonight and although he was only around for 13 regular season games and another 11 in the playoffs, it still admittedly feels "weird" for soon-to-be 33-year-old:
"It's going to be weird. Even though I was only there for a [short] period of time, going through a playoff series is like going through a war together & you get pretty close with guys.
The way it ended was really disappointing. I think we should've given Florida a better run but finding a way to get to that first round in Tampa and to be in the locker room after that game, just the relief for the guys who worked so hard for that, been through so much, and it's not easy to win a playoff series and the way the team was after that, the appreciation you had for each another and not just the players, everyone, it was a big accomplishment."
The way it ended was really disappointing. I think we should've given Florida a better run but finding a way to get to that first round in Tampa and to be in the locker room after that game, just the relief for the guys who worked so hard for that, been through so much, and it's not easy to win a playoff series and the way the team was after that, the appreciation you had for each another and not just the players, everyone, it was a big accomplishment."
When asked about the possibility that he left Toronto because he didn't want to deal with the media or the pressures surrounding Toronto-hockey and playing in front of friends and family:
"[It] got a little blown out of proportion a bit but there were so many other things that came into my decision. I think, for sure, I do like it down here in that sense where do you fly under the radar and I can take my kid to hockey and still a few people know but it's much different where I can be there and engage with him more. At this point in my career I think I enjoy that and be able to spend more times with my kids and enjoy that with them.
Playing in Toronto does make that so special too because the passion and the amount of coverage and media there and that's why it's become the Mecca of hockey..."
Playing in Toronto does make that so special too because the passion and the amount of coverage and media there and that's why it's become the Mecca of hockey..."
O'Reilly quickly became a fan favourite and it's hard to argue with how hard he plays, his leadership qualities, and the missing intangibles that he brought into that Maple Leafs locker room. It was a quick pit stop but even for a consummate professional like him, who has been around other teams throughout his career, playing in Toronto left a lasting memory.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 28 | 233 ANSWERS Ryan O'Reilly discusses his feelings about playing against his former Leafs tonight Were you upset when O'Reilly chose Nashville over Toronto in free agency? | ||
| Yes | 110 | 47.2 % |
| No | 66 | 28.3 % |
| Didn't care either way | 57 | 24.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
