Boston Bruins: Did they give up too early on Reilly Smith?

The Boston Bruins could use the talent of Reilly Smith in the top six. Was the Smith trade a mistake?

When the Boston Bruins visit the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday, they’ll see a familiar face. Old friend Reilly Smith will suit up on the first line for Vegas. Smith joined the Bruins organization from Dallas in the summer of 2013. He was part of the infamous trade package for Tyler Seguin.

Smith actually made a solid first impression with the Boston Bruins. He played in all 82 games that first season, mostly alongside Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand. In that role, Smith had 20 goals and 31 assists. He also scored four goals in 12 playoff games.

Given that he was only 22 his first year in Boston, expectations were high for Smith’s second year. The Bruins figured his production would increase riding shotgun with Bergeron and Marchand.

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Things, however, went south the next season. Smith struggled with consistency, and he only finished with 13 goals. He was part of a Boston Bruins squad that missed the playoffs for the first time in eight years.

Smith at times looked tentative in his second year with the Bruins. He occasionally shied away from physical contact, and he relied too heavily on his linemates. At the end of the season, the Bruins simply could not count on him to produce.

Rather than give him another shot the next season, general manager Don Sweeney traded Smith to Florida. The Boston Bruins got Jimmy Hayes in return, as well as cap space in the form of Marc Savard’s contract. Plus, the Bruins shed more money since Smith’s new $3.425 million extension kicked in.

Right away, it appeared that Sweeney gave up too early on Smith. Smith scored 25 goals his first year in Florida. He helped the Panthers finish first in the Atlantic. Hayes only scored 13 goals and was a -12 for the Bruins, who again missed the playoffs.

Although Smith had a great first year in Florida, his play dipped the next year. His goal production decreased by 10 as Florida missed the playoffs.

Florida, like Boston did two years prior, traded Smith after a pay raise. He went to Vegas with Jonathan Marchessault for a fourth round pick.

What happened with Smith in Vegas? He was great the first year, as he finished with 22 goals and 38 assists. Vegas made it all the way to the Cup Final.

His second year followed the same pattern it did with Boston and Florida. Smith played in seven more games than the year before, but he had seven fewer points. He only scored 19 goals for the Golden Knights.

Smith’s career, like his production, has been up and down. Three different teams traded him before he turned 26, something rare for a skilled forward. And the results are the same after each trade.

He does well in his first year with a new team. He scored at least 20 goals his first years with Boston, Florida, and Vegas. Then, he signs a new extension, and he seems to get too comfortable in his role. Consequently, he missed the 20 goal plateau in every second season.

Final Verdict on Reilly Smith

The Boston Bruins start this season with a question mark at second-line right wing. In fact, they’ve had this same question mark for a few years now. Boston could certainly use a right wing with Smith’s talents.

That said, Boston did not give up too early on Reilly Smith. Sweeney should have received more in return, but he made the correct assessment with Smith. If Smith stayed, he probably would have continued on the path of mediocrity.

Smith is a good player who can play in the top six and get a team 20 goals. He did that for Boston, Florida, and Vegas. Nonetheless, he’s far too inconsistent.

After his second seasons with his new teams, how could any general manager or coach rely on him?