Predators suffer another major setback with new injury report for top-six forward

Nashville Predators veteran center Ryan O'Reilly is out with an injury for the foreseeable future according to the team.

The team made the announcement by surprise, just before their matchup against the Montreal Canadiens in Montreal.

The team revealed that he is out week-to-week with a lower-body injury, but they provided no further details as is tradition with injuries in the NHL.

Defenseman Jeremy Lauzon also was placed on Injured reserve today with a lower-body injury of his own, so he will miss at least a week as well.

Tonight is the first time O'Reilly has missed a game in over a year. He very rarely misses time with injury so it could very well be something serious.

With O'Reilly out of the lineup, fellow free agent acquisition Steven Stamkos gets a promotion, as he will wear a letter on his Jersey for tonight, and likely will continue to do so in O'Reilly's absence.

While O'Reilly is still a big part of the Predators, many fans have begun to question him as he has had his struggles along with the rest of the team.

In fact, his underperformance is a significant part of why the team remains in 7th place in the Central Division.

Through 26 games, O'Reilly has just 5 goals and 14 points, on pace for one of the least productive seasons of his career.

Last season he had 26 goals and 69 points in 82 games in his first year with the team.

Father time may very well be catching up with O'Reilly, who will be turning 34 in February.

Perhaps this is just the player he is now, less productive and more prone to injury.

Hopefully he will be able to return to the lineup sooner than expected as the team will need him for a chance to salvage their season.

MUST READ

13 minutes ago  |  By Graham Montgomery Vancouver Canucks GM Patrik Allvin Reveals the Real Reason JT Miller Had to Be Traded

2 hours ago  |  By Tyler Ball Philadelphia Flyers GM Danny Brière Comments on Controversial Trade With Calgary

3 hours ago  |  By Graham Montgomery Mark Messier Calls Out Connor Bedard's Lazy Play

4 hours ago  |  By Graham Montgomery Maple Leafs Defenseman Drops Out of Four Nations Faceoff

6 hours ago  |  By Julien Trekker Vancouver Canucks Place Player on Waivers After Making Two Trades Last Night

8 hours ago  |  By Aaron Itovitch San Jose Sharks Trade Star Center Mikael Granlund

10 hours ago  |  By Daniel Lucente Elias Pettersson Comments on the JT Miller Trade After Months of Controversy

21 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Vancouver Canucks and Pittsburgh Penguins Complete Late Night Trade

MORE STORIES