Mike Reilly
#6 / Defense
Height: 6’1” | Weight: 199 | Born: July 13, 1993
Birthplace: Chicago, IL | Acquired: Traded to Boston in April 2021
Assets: Has tremendous offensive ability, as he sees the ice well and has excellent mobility to join the rush. Is also a solid puck mover whose stick is always active and effective.
Flaws: Needs to add significant bulk to his 6-2 frame, and get much stronger overall, in order to maximize output at the National Hockey League level. Lacks physicality, too.
Career Potential: Decent offensive defenseman with a little upside.
(Via TSN)
Why you should know who he is: The Bruins picked Reilly up from Ottawa for a third-round pick at this year’s trade deadline and he’s quickly become a key contributor to their defense, logging more than 21 minutes a night. In fact, he’s second on the team (behind Charlie McAvoy) in average ice time since being acquired, playing in all situations, and posting eight assists in those 15 games. The smooth-skating Reilly is really coming into his own and has been terrific in the B’s second pair (albeit in limited minutes) alongside Brendan Carlo lately and Connor Clifton before him:
Reilly is an offensive-minded defenseman playing in a system that accentuates his strengths. Look out.
How the Caps can stop him: As will be the case with most of the Bruins’ blueliners, it will be important for the Caps forwards to try to punish them physically (*ahem* within the rules of the game) while not simply chasing hits and leaving the team exposed in the neutral zone. In Peter Laviolette’s man-to-man defensive system, whoever is marking Reilly will need to stay alert and stay close – he’s not much of a shooter (just eight goals in his career), but certainly can dish the biscuit if given time and space.