REPORT: NHL Insider REVEALS why Ryan O'Reilly was TRADED to Toronto Maple Leafs

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Ryan
February 18, 2023 (4:13 PM)

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This season the Toronto Maple Leafs are under a lot of pressure not only as an organization to finally win a playoff series, but some of the senior management personnel as well are under a lot of pressure, and people like General Manager Kyle Dubas for example are fighting to keep their jobs.

The Maple Leafs for years have been criticized for their lack of defence and forward depth due to them having so much money committed to their ''Big 4'' but last night the Maple Leafs pulled off an incredible trade to bring in Stanley Cup winning veteran Ryan O'Reilly.

O'Reilly is having an ''off'' season statistics wise, but be brings more than just point scoring. O'Reilly is a former Selke trophy winner as the leagues best defensive forward, which is something the Maple Leafs have drastically been missing these past few seasons.

Many teams were rumoured to be in the fight for O'Reilly, but the final deal came down to this:

Credit to both Dubas & Armstrong. When it was clear the Blues were committed to sell, they allowed ROR to have a say in his desired place. He & his family chose TOR & both GM's found a way to get it done quick

Credit to both Dubas & Armstrong. When it was clear the Blues were committed to sell, they allowed ROR to have a say in his desired place. He & his family chose TOR & both GM's found a way to get it done quick. https://t.co/5VPnM79FiR� Carlo Colaiacovo (@CarloColaiacovo) February 18, 2023

The Toronto Maple Leafs take on their Canadian rival the Montreal Canadiens tonight and it will be the first time we get to see O'Reilly in a Maple Leafs uniform: