It’s hard to assess the winners and losers of free agency before players are truly put to the test with their new squad, but if there ever was a case for crowning a winner before October, it’s the Nashville Predators.

Barry Trotz and his Tennessee team came out on July 1 swinging for the fences and hitting home runs with every attempt, landing some of the most coveted free agents, including Stanley Cup winners Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault.

The magnitude of talent acquired by the Predators is not lost on returning players, and centreman Ryan O’Reilly made it clear just how excited he is about his team’s newest additions.

“July 1st, for myself, it was Christmas,” O’Reilly said to reporters at the annual Smilezone Golf Tournament at Lionhead Golf Club & Conference Centre in Brampton, Ontario. “It was just kind of, ‘Oh my gosh, oh my gosh,’ with guy after guy. So excited. I think we have a window in Nashville with (Filip) Forsberg and (Roman) Josi and (Juuse) Saros, getting him done, and all these guys in their prime that, you know, we have an opportunity I think to compete for a Cup and you add these other guys. … We have a ton of belief that we can compete for a Stanley Cup.”

That belief appears to be shared by the Predators’ front office, which signed All-Star goaltender Saros to an eight-year, $62-million contract extension ahead of free agency.

The team has not won a playoff round since 2018 and narrowly avoided missing the playoffs for a second-year in a row with a valiant second-half bounce back last season, but the flurry of moves at the beginning of July suggest that, top-down, there is faith that this squad can take the next step in the pursuit for its first Stanley Cup — even navigating through a heavy Central Division.

“There’s that confidence that the organization has in us that, you know, last year we worked hard and I think we found an identity,” O’Reilly said. “To see them, and to talk with them and bringing in some pieces that can help us and elevate that, it just shows that confidence that we feel excited. I think everyone is just like, let’s get this thing rolling.”

Perhaps none of their additions are more high-profile than Stamkos, a perennial point-per-game player, and although O’Reilly knew before free agency opened that his team was interested, the 33-year-old “didn’t want to get my hopes up.”

“Sure enough, we get him and it’s amazing,” O’Reilly said. “Completely gives us the piece that we need and just the person he is, the player he is. … On top of that, Marchessault, (Brady) Skjei and everyone — it’s just like, here we go!”

Ryan O’Reilly, the star center for the St. Louis Blues, recently shared his thoughts on the Nashville Predators’ free agency moves, likening them to Christmas. O’Reilly, who has faced off against the Predators numerous times in his career, believes that Nashville made some significant additions that will make them a formidable opponent in the upcoming season.

One of the biggest moves the Predators made was signing defenseman Philippe Myers to a three-year contract. Myers, who was previously with the Philadelphia Flyers, is known for his strong defensive play and physical presence on the ice. O’Reilly sees Myers as a valuable addition to the Predators’ blue line, adding depth and skill to their defensive corps.

In addition to Myers, the Predators also signed forward Zach Sanford to a one-year deal. Sanford, who spent last season with the Ottawa Senators, is a versatile forward who can play both wing and center. O’Reilly believes that Sanford will bring some much-needed scoring depth to the Predators’ lineup, complementing their already talented group of forwards.

Overall, O’Reilly is impressed with the Predators’ free agency moves and believes that they have set themselves up for success in the upcoming season. He sees them as a team to watch out for and expects them to be a tough opponent for the Blues and other teams in the Central Division.

As the NHL offseason continues and teams make more moves to improve their rosters, it will be interesting to see how the Predators fare in the upcoming season. With the additions of Myers and Sanford, along with their existing core of talented players, they have the potential to make some noise in the league and compete for a playoff spot.

In conclusion, Ryan O’Reilly’s comparison of the Predators’ free agency moves to Christmas highlights the excitement and anticipation surrounding the upcoming NHL season. With new additions to their roster, the Predators are poised to be a competitive team in the Central Division and beyond. Fans will be eagerly watching to see how these new players mesh with the existing team and how they perform on the ice.