Bruins' defenseman Mike Reilly discusses being placed on waivers

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Dorin Canaday
October 12, 2022 (8:54)

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Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney made a somewhat of a shocking, and very risky, move on Sunday when he placed defenseman Mike Reilly on waivers, along with veterans Chris Wagner and Nick Foligno.

Reilly, 29, has been a solid fourth to sixth defenseman in the NHL for at least five seasons now, as he's appeared in 329 NHL games since being drafted in the fourth round (98th overall) at the 2011 Entry Draft.

The Chicago native recently opened up about being placed on waivers as he spoke with Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic, who covers the Bruins. As per Shinzawa:

''Pretty shocked.''

''Sweens called me. Then talked to the coach. Told me the reason and whatnot. I don't know if it was performance-based as much. Really wasn't expecting it. But they said I'm still a big part of the team. Just kind of go on from here like nothing happened. But, obviously, that did happen. Just a positive attitude here moving on. I felt like I had a good preseason. Feel like I'm healthy and can make a difference.''

Shinzawa also asked Reilly if he now expects to be traded now that Sweeney has shown he's an expendable asset:

''Hard to say ... Anyone can just go look around at the teams and their cap. It's pretty obvious the majority of the teams, they're so tight at the cap. They're using money for certain things. That's why it's tough to get guys that make a little bit more than the minimum number. I didn't know for sure. I think we were just a little bit shocked. Maybe there wasn't much of a sign that it was coming. It's business.''

In the end, it seems as though Reilly understands the harsh business side of the NHL; however, Sweeney and Bruins were lucky he went unclaimed.

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