Predicting Which Bruins Free Agents Return or Leave

Mar 3, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins center David Krejci (46) during the second period against the Washington Capitals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins center David Krejci (46) during the second period against the Washington Capitals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
11 of 12
Apr 13, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Mike Reilly (6) skates with the puck in front of Buffalo Sabres center Arttu Ruotsalainen (25) during the first period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Mike Reilly (6) skates with the puck in front of Buffalo Sabres center Arttu Ruotsalainen (25) during the first period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Reilly

The biggest move that fans will remember will be Sweeney’s deal with the Sabres that landed Hall and Lazar from Buffalo at the trade deadline. However, the first deal the Bruins GM pulled off earlier in the night of April got Reilly from the Ottawa Senators.

The left-shot blueliner had 19 assists this season prior to the trade to the Black and Gold with the Senators and he continued his offensive game in Boston with eight assists in 15 games with a plus-7. A steady defenseman, the 27-year-old Reilly had four assists in 11 postseason games and had a plus-3.

Yes, he did struggle towards the end of the Islanders’ series, but that could be said for anyone on the blueline, including McAvoy and Grzelcyk. The crunch of the playoffs caught up with the unit.

Boston is looking to add pieces to their defense this offseason, but Reilly clearly made a case to be an every-night defenseman for a contending team in his short stint in Boston.

Prediction: Reilly re-signs.