Ryan O'Reilly was downright giddy watching his team's summer splash unfold from afar.

The Nashville Predators made significant waves in free agency on July 1, 2024. General manager Barry Trotz signed veteran forwards Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault along with defenceman Brady Skjei to big-money, multi-year contracts on the open market.

There was title talk in Music City. Then the games started.

Nashville lost its first five outings last season — all in regulation — before finally picking up a victory. There were moments when a group backstopped by former Vezina Trophy finalist Juuse Saros showed what it could be. Those nights, however, were far too few in a maddening campaign that saw the Predators finish 28 points below the Western Conference's playoff cutline.

"We didn't rea

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