'Why Can't We Contend?:' O'Reilly Wants to Help Preds Take the Next Step

Nashville Predators General Manager Barry Trotz announced on July 1 that the team had signed forward Ryan O'Reilly to a four-year, $18 million contract.

On the surface, signing a 14-year NHL veteran may seem like a puzzling move for a team seemingly in the midst of a youth movement - but O'Reilly doesn't see it that way.

"I think the veteran players that are here right now, the way they impact the game is so impressive," O'Reilly said. "To watch that last year - and their youth, with what they do - there's a great balance of both. Coming here, it's something that I look forward to. I think we can take a step and be right there to compete."

Originally drafted by Colorado in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2009 NHL Draft, O'Reilly will enter the 2023-24 season just nine games shy of 1,000 in his NHL career, having previously played for the Avalanche, Sabres, Blues and Maple Leafs. He won the Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe Trophy with St. Louis in 2019 and has collected numerous other accolades during his 14-year NHL career, including the Selke Trophy (2019), Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (2014) and three trips to the NHL All-Star Game.

In addition to a wealth of experience and accolades, O'Reilly brings a tenacious energy and a winning mentality to a team looking to generate more offense en route to contending for a Stanley Cup.

"This team, over the years of playing against them, is a tough team to play against," O'Reilly said. "That's something I want to add on top of. I want to be difficult for whoever we're playing against and build it from there."

In addition to captaining St. Louis for three seasons from 2020-23, O'Reilly has finished in the Top 10 in voting for the Lady Byng seven times and the Selke Trophy six times; those awards are given to the player who exhibits the best sportsmanship and conduct and the top defensive forward, respectively. During St. Louis' run to the 2019 Stanley Cup, he tied for the lead among all NHL skaters in postseason points with 23 and was third in assists with 15. His 75 career Stanley Cup Playoff games are now tied for the third-most out of all players currently on Nashville's roster.

Put simply, O'Reilly knows how to win. He's a proven leader both on and off the ice, and exactly the type of player Trotz is seeking to foster a winning culture that has staying power with Nashville's younger players. O'Reilly, for his part, enthusiastically embraces the leadership role.

"I think reading the group [is important] and understanding what needs to happen at the right time," O'Reilly said. "On the ice, I can be very vocal. In the room, I try to be vocal there, too, but lead by example in many ways. It's a whole combination of everything and I think I can bring that in many ways."

Joining O'Reilly as a free-agent signing in Nashville this summer is 33-year-old Luke Schenn, O'Reilly's former teammate in Toronto. The pair will be joining a veteran core anchored by the likes of his former Avalanche teammate Tyson Barrie, Ryan McDonagh and, of course, team captain Roman Josi.

"It's nice I'm not going to be chasing him around anymore, compared to last few years," O'Reilly smirked. "He's given me a lot of issues… Having known each other for many years from the All-Star Games and such, [he's] such an incredible guy, incredible player, and such a great leader, too."

Being on the same team as Josi is not the only reason O'Reilly is excited to wear Preds gold this season; he is also looking forward to having the formidable home crowd at Bridgestone Arena on his side this time.

"It's going to be nice to be on the other side of it," O'Reilly said. "As a road team coming in here, it's a tough place to play. The energy that's in here, the crowd's on top of you - looking at that is something I'm very excited for, just to add energy there on that side. The way everyone's engaged in physicality or scoring the big goal, you can tell everyone's engaged in a part of it. It's turned into a bit of a hockey town which is going to be fun to be part of."

O'Reilly's connection to Nashville goes deeper than merely playing here as a member of opposing teams. His brother, Cal, was drafted by Nashville in the fifth round (150th overall) of the 2005 NHL Draft and appeared in 85 career games for the Predators from 2008-12. Two days after Ryan signed with the Preds, Cal signed a one-year deal to return to their AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals.

"It's awesome," O'Reilly said. "This is where he started his career and played for many years, here and in Milwaukee. I found out I was coming here, and I was just so excited to be able to do that. And then to see he's coming with me and be a part of it as well - to be able to share that as brothers, especially late in our careers, to be able to do it and still be playing and healthy is something that we're excited for. Both of our parents couldn't be happier."

Trotz said at the start of free agency that he was looking for "serial winners" to help guide the team's younger players, and O'Reilly certainly fits the bill. He recognizes that the team has promising young talent, elite goaltending and a solid defensive core, and he's eager to be a part of the solution on the front end.

"I think, as a group, we have great leadership," O'Reilly said. "We have great young pieces. Why can't we contend? Why can't we? It's a long year, but everyone's preparing in the summer and doing things the right way. Then, we get into camp and we start to build a foundation and keep adding to it."