Former Bruins Mike Reilly

[Gee Wally]

A closer look at Mike Reilly, the defenseman the Bruins acquired from the Senators

The six-year professional is in the midst of his most productive season in the NHL, compiling 19 points (0 goals, 19 assists) in 40 games with the Senators. Reilly’s previous career high in points came in 2019-20 when he posted 12 points (1 goal, 11 assists) across 30 games with Ottawa.
The Bruins rank 27th of 31 teams in scoring 5 on 5 goals (2.04 per 60 minutes) and Reilly should help in that department. Thirteen of his 19 assists have come during 5 on 5 play, and he ranks second in the NHL for defensemen in 5 on 5 assist percentage per 60 minutes (1.27), trailing only Avalanche star Cale Makar.
Reilly’s 19 assists would tie Patrice Bergeron for third most on the Bruins behind Brad Marchand and David Krejci.

 

[dafoomie]

If you're expecting an upgrade over Zboril, you'll be happy.

If you're expecting a solid 2nd pair defenseman, you're going to be disappointed. He's got some very good qualities, but he's had some breathtakingly bad moments on defense. He'll give up scoring chances. Give him the right partner and the right matchups and he'll be fine.

 

[Caper Bruins fan]

If you're expecting an upgrade over Zboril, you'll be happy.

If you're expecting a solid 2nd pair defenseman, you're going to be disappointed. He's got some very good qualities, but he's had some breathtakingly bad moments on defense. He'll give up scoring chances. Give him the right partner and the right matchups and he'll be fine.

I’m tired of watching Zboril so anything that gets him out of the lineup is a bonus for me .

 

[CDJ]

I like that he’s 27 and gives us that 5 on 5 production without being a peanut

 

[BruinsFanMike82]

 

[FabulousLysell]

Anyone know if he's able to play tomorrow? We need as much help as we can get.

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

If he can take a shot and have it not be blocked - literally, just one - he’ll be an offensive improvement over Zboril.

 

[BruinsFanMike82]

Anyone know if he's able to play tomorrow? We need as much help as we can get.

Won't know for sure until tomorrow, but as of now both Reilly and Hall are expected to play tomorrow night.

 

[BruinsFanMike82]

If he can take a shot and have it not be blocked - literally, just one - he’ll be an offensive improvement over Zboril.

	% of shots on goal/not blocked
Matt Grzelcyk	63.4
Steven Kampfer	58.3
Mike Reilly	57.3
Urho Vaakanainen	54.2
Jarred Tinordi	51.2
Brandon Carlo	49.2
Charlie McAvoy	48.2
Jeremy Lauzon	47.2
Connor Clifton	40.8
Jakub Zboril	40.5
Kevan Miller	32.6

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[Brewsky]

Anyone think they'll throw Mike Reilly right on PP1 as the quarterback?

 

[CDJ]

now I could be misinterpreting this because I’m like Charlie Kelly/Pepe Sylvia when I see these charts but this looks incredibly promising for us?

 

[BruinsFanMike82]

now I could be misinterpreting this because I’m like Charlie Kelly/Pepe Sylvia when I see these charts but this looks incredibly promising for us?

It seems (almost?) every Senator player performed worse with respect to xGF+xGA when not on the ice with Reilly.

 

[FabulousLysell]

Anyone think they'll throw Mike Reilly right on PP1 as the quarterback?

I'd definitely try it out for awhile.

 

[McGarnagle]

It seems (almost?) every Senator player performed worse with respect to xGF+xGA when not on the ice with Reilly.

By point shares, he was actually the best player on the entire Senators roster

 

[BruinDust]

As far as generating non-PP assists, he's been elite this season (tied for 9th in the NHL among D by my count with 15). Ahead of guys like Fox (13) , Hedman (10), Hamilton (12), Makar (13), Hughes (12) and Doughty (12).

Defensively he's had some massive brain farts at times. I have the misfortune of being in Ottawa Senators broadcast territory for their local games and see a fair bit of Reilly. Can he adjust to the Bruins defensive system or is he another Kaberle or Morris, puck-moving guys who had a harder time here.

All that being said, on this team he's the 2nd best left-shot D-man they have. If at some point they ever get healthy, and this allows them to A) put Gryz with McAvoy full-time, and B) get Gryz off the 1st PP unit, than this is a sneaky and very nice pick-up.

 

[Secord]

If you're expecting an upgrade over Zboril, you'll be happy.

If you're expecting a solid 2nd pair defenseman, you're going to be disappointed. He's got some very good qualities, but he's had some breathtakingly bad moments on defense. He'll give up scoring chances. Give him the right partner and the right matchups and he'll be fine.

Yes, those bad d moments have given him bad press in Ott, this year's whipping boy along with Artisimov. Sens fans not crying his loss, and he was not part of the Ottawa plan that is for sure. D-partners will not be the same here, that is for sure also. At least, when healthy.

 

[BruinDust]

Something else to keep in mind. Reilly has already played the "Julien system" of defensive zone coverage that the Bruins still employ for the most part. So hopefully there is some familiarity there (although I can't say if Reilly was good or bad under Julien).​

 

[Mick Riddleton]

He was 2nd in pts behind Chabot playing 8 minutes less per game.

He was 7th in pts overall, with 67 shots on net

Minus 2 while playing 18 plus minutes a game is not bad on the Sens

 

[BruinDust]

He was 2nd in pts behind Chabot playing 8 minutes less per game.

He was 7th in pts overall, with 67 shots on net

Minus 2 while playing 18 plus minutes a game is not bad on the Sens

The Sens have played 20 games where they have allowed 4 or more goals. They haven't won a single one of those 20 games in regulation (17 regulation loses + 1 OTW, 1 SOW and 1 OTL. So on that team being a minus 2 is pretty incredible.

Coincidentally, his main partner (Zub) is a plus 3. So as a pair they were easily the best defensively on the Sens this year when you consider Chabot is a minus 22.

 

[tonino2424]

Just wondering what you guys thought of his play last night as I missed the game plz?

 

[SPV]

I thought he was fantastic. I don't want to get ahead of myself, but based off one look I'm hoping he's here for a while. Ask me again in a week or so though LOL

 

[kjpm]

He did exactly what they need from him last night. Quick retrievals, quick breakouts, quick shots from the point. Very pleased with how he fit last night with Miller. I'm curious to see if they keep these pairings and go back to Gryz-Carlo or if they do Gryz-McAvoy and Reilly-Carlo.

The thing that impresses me every time I watch him is the skating. He has amazing technique. He uses mohawk turns so effectively, he can walk the blue line with ease. Very much in that McAvoy and Grzcelyk type mold. Great fit back there.

 

[False Start]

He did exactly what they need from him last night. Quick retrievals, quick breakouts, quick shots from the point. Very pleased with how he fit last night with Miller. I'm curious to see if they keep these pairings and go back to Gryz-Carlo or if they do Gryz-McAvoy and Reilly-Carlo.

The thing that impresses me every time I watch him is the skating. He has amazing technique. He uses mohawk turns so effectively, he can walk the blue line with ease. Very much in that McAvoy and Grzcelyk type mold. Great fit back there.

All I could think of was this is exactly how I wanted Zboril to play. Zboril can do it..... I wonder if Bruce neutered him.

 

[kjpm]

All I could think of was this is exactly how I wanted Zboril to play. Zboril can do it..... I wonder if Bruce neutered him.

I thought the same watching last night. He's like a more established Zboril. He was making his fair share of mistakes too when he was Zboril's age but has been steadily getting better every year. I wouldn't be surprised if Zboril follows a similar path.

 

[Alicat]

Something else to keep in mind. Reilly has already played the "Julien system" of defensive zone coverage that the Bruins still employ for the most part. So hopefully there is some familiarity there (although I can't say if Reilly was good or bad under Julien).​

You could see it last night. It is a huge reason why he was so solid from the get go. He knows the system the best out of the new guys.