Ryan O'Reilly speaks about not wanting to be in Toronto

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Liam
July 17, 2023 (10:09 PM)

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After being brought in to Toronto at last season's trade deadline, many fans and analysts thought it was a possibility that the hometown player Ryan O'Reilly might be open to re-signing with the Maple Leafs as a free agent this offseason.

Regardless of being his hometown team trying to compete for a Stanley Cup, O'Reilly was not truly interested in staying with the Leafs, promptly signing with the Nashville Predators on the first day of free agency for four years, at $4.5M each year.

On an interview this morning with First Take of TSN Radio, O'Reilly explained his decision to leave very candidly. When asked about the additional microscope placed on the Leafs had an effect on his free agency decision, O'Reilly replied:

"No, it wasn't the ultimate decision there. I think there's so many things that come into play, but yeah, I think that it's a factor as well. It is different. It's something that I did enjoy for the time there, but I just felt it was better to be somewhere else. There's so many great things that do come with that though. I think that team is amazing and the pieces they added this [summer] should have them right there contending for [a Stanley Cup]. It is an amazing place, but like everywhere, there's two sides to everything."

It had been previously speculated that O'Reilly felt it difficult to deal with the additional personal stresses to playing in his hometown, and although he weighs it with the positives of his experience in Toronto, he does confirm that sentiment. Playing in Nashville, O'Reilly will be able to focus more solely on his play, but will be dealing with a far less talented team, and far longer odds to compete for another Stanley Cup.

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