The Bruins have locked up another one of their own free agents, reportedly agreeing to a three-year deal with defenseman Mike Reilly that has an average annual value of $3 million.
The Bruins acquired Reilly from the Ottawa Senators at the trade deadline for a third-round pick, and he helped fill a void as a puck-moving left-shot defenseman who played over 21 minutes per game.
Reilly, 28, had a breakout season split between the Bruins and Senators, recording a career-high 27 points (all assists) in 55 games. Of the 210 defensemen who played at least 300 five-on-five minutes last season, Reilly ranked first in assists per 60 minutes (1.37).
The Bruins will still be in the market for another left-shot defenseman, and it's clear now what type they'll be looking for. With Reilly and Matt Grzelcyk -- two offensive-minded defensemen who rarely kill penalties -- atop the left-side depth chart, Don Sweeney and Co. will now be looking for a bigger, physical left D who can log big penalty-kill minutes.
That would ideally be a true top-four defenseman who could bump Grzelcyk and/or Reilly down the depth chart a spot, but the market is quickly running low on those. With Ryan Suter seemingly now out of reach as he weighs four-year offers elsewhere, Alex Edler could be the next best veteran option. Derek Forbort and Jake McCabe are a couple free-agent depth options who fit the profile as well.
After signing Reilly, the Bruins have about $17 million in cap space. That is before a possible David Krejci re-signing, which New England Hockey's Kirk Luedeke reported is close to happening.
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