Predators' Ryan O'Reilly Feels Nashville Can Contend Next Season

When Ryan O'Reilly signed with the Nashville Predators earlier this offseason, it was a bit of a surprise to some. The Preds had just started blowing up their team but it was now obvious, Barry Trotz was quickly looking to retool over a full rebuild. Now there's a few new faces in the dressing room and a brand new culture. One in which O'Reilly feels could be a recipe for success.

The Factor met with the media earlier this weekend and had this to say about his expectations for his new team:

I think, as a group, we have great leadership. We have great young pieces. Why can't we contend? Why can't we? It's a long year, but it's (about) 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. This team, over the years of playing against them, it is a tough team to play against. 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.

O'Reilly joins Smashville after spending the end of last season as a Toronto Maple Leaf. He loved playing for his hometown team which included being in front of family and friends each and every game.

O'Reilly's ready for the music scene, he's ready for a new chapter and he's ready to win a Cup with the Preds. There's a lot of work to do in Nashville to get them back into contention, however it's obvious how they feel internally about their chances.