O'Reilly: Predators' signings made July 1 like 'Christmas'

Nashville Predators forward Ryan O'Reilly felt like it was December when his team made splash after splash on the opening day of free agency.

"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 landed arguably the biggest name in free agency by inking Steven Stamkos to a three-year, $32-million pact. General manager Barry Trotz was far from done, as he also lured top free agents Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei to Nashville.

Those additions reinforce O'Reilly's belief that the Predators can challenge 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."

Nashville's pickups add a significant amount of finishing talent, as both Stamkos and Marchessault hit the 40-goal mark last season. Skjei is no slouch either, ranking fifth among defensemen in goals over the past two campaigns.

O'Reilly said that teammate Luke Schenn was the one who told him that Stamkos was signing in Nashville. Schenn's insider information has garnered him the nickname "Scoops" in the Predators' locker room.

Trotz has proven aggressive in free agency in his brief tenure as a general manager. He added a trio of key free agents last year in O'Reilly, Schenn, and Gustav Nyquist. Those moves helped propel Nashville back into the playoffs.

The Predators lost in the first round against the Vancouver Canucks in a tight, low-scoring series.