Nashville Predators forward Ryan O’Reilly likened the team’s flurry of signings on the opening day of free agency to the excitement of Christmas.
“July 1st for myself, it was Christmas,” O’Reilly told TSN on Monday. “Talking with the other guys too, it was just like, ‘Oh my gosh, oh my gosh,’ just kinda guy after guy. So excited.”
The Predators secured one of the top free agents, Steven Stamkos, with a three-year, $32-million contract. General manager Barry Trotz also signed top free agents Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei.
O’Reilly believes these additions enhance the Predators’ chances of contending for the Stanley Cup.
“I think we have a window in Nashville with (Filip) Forsberg, and (Roman) Josi, and (Juuse) Saros, getting him done, and all those guys in their prime, that we have an opportunity, I think, to compete for a Cup,” O’Reilly said. “And you add these other guys, I think we have a ton of belief that we can compete for a Stanley Cup. Obviously, it’s a long road ahead of us, but just so exciting to add these pieces and the organization believing in us that hey, we can do this.”
The additions of Stamkos and Marchessault bring substantial offensive capabilities, as both players scored 40 goals last season. Skjei has also been effective, ranking fifth among defensemen in goals over the past two seasons.
O’Reilly mentioned that teammate Luke Schenn informed him about Stamkos signing with Nashville, earning Schenn the nickname “Scoops” in the Predators’ locker room.
Trotz has shown a proactive approach in free agency since becoming the general manager. Last year, he brought in O’Reilly, Schenn, and Gustav Nyquist, which helped Nashville return to the playoffs. The Predators were eliminated in the first round by the Vancouver Canucks in a close, low-scoring series.
