The Colorado Avalanche are rolling into the Olympic break as the NHL’s top dog, and it's not even close. With 35 wins and just six regulation losses, this team isn’t just winning-they’re dominating. Head coach Jared Bednar has this group locked in, and with Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar leading the charge, the Avalanche are making it clear: it’s Stanley Cup or bust.
MacKinnon is playing like a man possessed, and Makar continues to redefine what a modern defenseman can do. But as good as the Avalanche have been, there’s a sense that they’re still looking for one final piece to push them over the top.
That piece? It might just be Ryan O’Reilly.
The veteran center, currently with the Nashville Predators, is being floated as a potential trade target for Colorado. And it makes sense.
O’Reilly brings a calm, steady presence down the middle-a guy who’s been there, done that, and knows what it takes to win when the lights are brightest. He could slot into the second or third line and instantly provide the kind of two-way reliability that becomes invaluable in the grind of playoff hockey.
For a team with eyes on the Cup, adding someone like O’Reilly could be a move that pays off in June.
On the other side of the equation, Nashville is starting to take a hard look at its roster. According to reports, the Predators are listening to offers on forwards Michael Bunting and Michael McCarron. It’s a classic case of a team caught between staying competitive and cashing in on trade value.
Bunting, if moved, would be on the move at the trade deadline for the third year in a row. He’s a middle-six winger who can chip in offensively and has been part of previous deadline deals involving names like Jake Guentzel and Thomas Novak. He’s not a headline-grabber, but for a contender looking to add depth scoring, he’s a name worth watching.
Then there’s McCarron-a big-bodied, bottom-six forward who brings grit, physicality, and a sneaky-valuable 53% faceoff win rate. At just $900,000 against the cap, he’s the kind of low-cost, high-impact addition that playoff teams love to stash on the fourth line.
But here’s where things get tricky for Nashville. While the front office may be leaning toward selling, the team’s recent play is making that decision a little more complicated.
Just ask the Ottawa Senators, who saw the Predators erase a three-goal deficit in a stunning 5-3 comeback win. That game was punctuated by Steven Stamkos recording the 16th hat trick of his career-vintage stuff from one of the league’s most respected leaders.
After the game, Stamkos didn’t mince words. According to NHL correspondent Robby Stanley, he emphasized how the team simply wanted it more in the second half. That kind of fire is hard to ignore, especially when your captain is leading the way with 24 goals and showing no signs of slowing down.
So now Nashville finds itself at a crossroads. Do they ride the momentum and make a push for the postseason? Or do they stick to the long-term plan and move veterans like O’Reilly, Bunting, and McCarron while their value is high?
Whatever direction they choose, the trade deadline is shaping up to be a defining moment for both the Avalanche and the Predators. Colorado looks like a team ready to go all-in.
Nashville? They’ve got some soul-searching to do.