NHL Trade Talk Recap: Predators, Oilers & Why the Maple Leafs Won

Today’s NHL Trade Talk Recap for September 29, 2026, has plenty to chew on. A veteran who might finally be ready to move on from Nashville. Oilers Babcock explains why he’s sticking with Jarry in net over Levi. And the inside story of how Toronto quietly outmaneuvered Montreal for Marchenko.

Is Ryan O’Reilly Finally Ready to Leave Nashville?

Apparently Ryan O’Reilly’s name is becoming one of the bigger storylines to watch this season, according to Elliotte Friedman. Teams have been trying to pry him out of Nashville for over two years now, but he never had written trade protection, just a verbal promise from the Predators that they’ve honoured. The thing is, he’s entering the final year of his deal, and if Nashville signals there’s no extension coming, that changes everything about what he might want to do next.

Nobody thinks this happens right away, but it’s definitely one to keep an eye on. Especially if Nashville stumbles out of the gate this season. O’Reilly’s earned a ton of respect around the league. If he’s staring down a situation where he’s probably switching teams next year anyway, it makes sense he’d rather do it on his terms. It would be nice to chase another shot at a Cup somewhere competitive. For now, the Preds will likely stick to their word. But this is exactly the kind of situation that can shift fast once results start rolling in.

Insider Says To Watch for Overdue Trade Out of Nashville

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Babcock’s Giving Jarry the Ball vs. Vancouver, And He’s Got Reasons Why

Mike Babcock’s going with Tristan Jarry against the Canucks, even though Devon Levi arguably earned the start with how he played against Calgary. But Babcock isn’t going off one performance. This is about giving Jarry a real chance to bounce back after a rough year. He’s looked good in preseason, worked hard on his conditioning over the summer, and Babcock said he’s liked what he’s seen. That was especially true in the second game, when Jarry was under siege and held up well.

The setup makes sense too. Vancouver’s a team the Oilers should realistically beat. So it’s a solid spot for Jarry to build some confidence without facing a ton of pressure. There’s a safety net either way. Devon Levi’s ready to step in anytime, and Frederik Andersen is inching closer to a return, expected back by late October. So if Jarry struggles, Edmonton’s got other options lined up. But right now, the Oilers clearly want to find out if he’s still their guy. This is exactly the kind of game to figure that out.

Oilers Choose Their Starting Goalie, And With Good Reason

How Toronto Beat Out Montreal for Marchenko

Turns out the Marchenko chase was way bigger than most people realized. Montreal actually pushed hard for him for months, even dating back to June. But their best offer just didn’t have what Columbus wanted: a real, immediate-impact player. Any Montreal package would’ve needed to include Demidov, Slafkovský, or Caufield. Understandably, the Habs weren’t willing to go there. Toronto, meanwhile, kept their interest quiet and had exactly what Columbus wanted in Matthew Knies, which let them swoop in relatively under the radar.

On Columbus’s side, GM Don Waddell wasn’t in any rush to move Marchenko, especially with the Jackets hoping to compete this year. What ultimately tipped things Toronto’s way was a mix of factors. No one topped the Knies offer; Toronto was also willing to take on Merzlikins and Wood; and Marchenko’s relationship with coach Rick Bowness had reportedly gotten tense. Word was Marchenko would’ve happily gone to Montreal without hesitation, but he was actually less sure about Toronto early on, though he clearly came around once the deal came together.

6 Teams Wanted Marchenko: Why Columbus Picked the Maple Leafs

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