Ryan O'Reilly bashed member of Toronto's core before leaving

Ryan O'Reilly's time with the Toronto Maple Leafs was short. The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired the then St. Louis Blues captain in a three-way trade that seemed like it would be a really good fit for both sides. O'Reilly picked up 11 points in 13 regular season games with the Maple Leafs in 2022-23, and then suited up for another 11 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs netting 9 points. However, he left the team during free agency that summer, sigining a 4-year, $18 million contract with the Nashville Predators . We may now have a better idea why.

As reported by TVA Sports, Ryan O' Reilly was apparently very unhappy with some of his teammates. While appearing on the Empty Netters podcast, host Dan Powers told former NHLer Nate Thompson that O'Reilly put down members of the Maple Leafs core while telling management he wouldn't be re-signing.

It's not clear who O'Reilly was referring to, but it's a safe bet it was at least three members of the Toronto Maple Leafs core, which is comprised of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, John Tavares, and defenseman Morgan Rielly.

Ryan O'Reilly had a great year with the Nashville Predators the next season, putting up a career high 69 points, including 26 goals, in 82 games. 2024-25 will mark the second of O'Reilly's four-year deal with Nashville, and GM Barry Trotz managed to add Jonathan Marchessault and Steven Stamkos as free agents in July.