The Predators are having an absolute mess of a 2024-25 NHL season, and despite the fact GM Barry Trotz said there would be no fire sale, one player is on the block. It hasn't sat all that well beyond halfway through the 2024-25 season for the Nashville Predators. <a href='https://www.nhl.com/standings/2025-01-11/wildcard' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>An unflattering 13-22-7 record has the Predators 14th in their conference</a>, all but 15 points out from a Wild Card position. High expectations at the start of the year have given way to a mighty struggle, and it begs a lot of questions as to what exactly the future may hold. Losers of a growing number, <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/nashville-predators/predators-gm-barry-trotz-eyes-huge-move-after-slow-start-with-steven-stamkos' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>rumblings of potential shake-ups have grown loud</a>. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/NHLNetwork/status/1854312811943395763'> </a></blockquote></div> While there isn't anything imminent in regards to moving cornerstone pieces like Steven Stamkos, it is slowly becoming apparent that something may need to be done if the Predators are to salvage any sort of future success. As reported by <a href='https://x.com/FriedgeHNIC' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>insider Elliotte Friedman</a>, it seems as though one player currently on the roster could find himself moved in relatively short order and it is a former Maple Leaf. What makes that even more interesting is that this player holds absolutely no trade protection in his contract. He signed a 4 year deal and there was no protection in there, said Friedman. No trade or no movement clause or anything like that... but he is being treated as if he has a no move clause. Friedman did, however, add that Nashville management, acknowledging the player's veteran status and leadership, would only consider moving him to a location of his choosing, possibly back to Toronto? <h3>Could Ryan O'Reilly go back to Toronto?</h3> That player? Ryan O'Reilly, the Predators prized offseason acquisition. Even after signing a new deal with the team, though, his future is murkier than ever in Nashville. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1878266701982150777'> </a></blockquote></div> With the team's playoff outlook very dim, it wouldn't be much of a surprise if <a href='https://www.nhl.com/predators/player/ryan-o-reilly-8475158' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>O'Reilly</a> ultimately agreed to a move. At this point in his career, after all, the veteran, with 25 points in 39 games this season, very likely has eyes for one more chase at a Stanley Cup, which is well out of reach in Nashville. How committed the Predators may be toward pushing through a trade remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure, their season is slipping further and further away from them, with tough decisions ahead.