The Montreal Canadiens signed one of their qualified restricted free agents in Mike Reilly adding more to their defensive depth ahead of an important season.
After qualifying Mike Reilly, Michael McCarron, Artturi Lehkonen, and Joel Armia, the Montreal Canadiens chose to start with their defence first when it came to an actual deal. The team announced this morning that he received a two-year contract extension worth $1.5 million, doubling up on his previous cap hit of $775,000.
There are two ways to react to this signing. There’s no such thing as having too much depth on your roster, and the Habs made a move to ensure they have more options. Reilly originally joined the team at the 2017 trade deadline in exchange for a fifth-round pick, and he looked good to start given how much Claude Julien was using him.
But things changed this past season as he lost trust in most defensive scenarios. What helped him stay in a good chunk of games was his mobility which the Montreal Canadiens made a focus heading into the new year. Unfortunately, the promotion of Brett Kulak from the Laval Rocket up to the Habs hurt his value, so much so that he found himself being a healthy scratch for a good portion of the season.
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It’s not confusing to see Reilly stay on the team. Despite having Kulak and Christian Folin on a cheap deal, you never know what can happen. At the same time, Reilly could easily get waived down to the minors and help Laval’s blue line out as they try to improve and contend for a playoff spot.
What’s confusing is it appears the Montreal Canadiens valued Reilly more than we thought. A good prediction for a cap-hit would’ve been something close to his qualifying offer ($813,750). The Habs instead doubled up on his salary, essentially giving him Jordie Benn’s money with a slight boost, and gave him an extra year.
Why do that for someone who appeared to be a liability and irregularly used last season?
It’s not something to go nuts about, but it is pretty telling. Marc Bergevin said he wanted to add defence and we’re all expecting at some point for the Montreal Canadiens to add a top-pair option next to Shea Weber. Let’s say that does end up being Shayne Gostisbehere and he plays next to Weber that would likely have Victor Mete on the second pair with Jeff Petry and Brett Kulak on the bottom.
If we’re playing the “handedness rule” Folin would get the spot next to Kulak making Reilly a healthy scratch again. However, handedness hasn’t been too crucial with Julien. The Habs started the season with Xavier Ouellet and Benn on the bottom pair who are both left shots and it didn’t seem to be an issue. The same goes for Mete, Benn, and Kulak, who all spent time playing together.
Say the Habs don’t add anyone else. In that case, things work out perfectly as you’d slide one of Kulak or Mete with Weber, likely the latter given how well Kulak and Petry were down the stretch, with Reilly on the bottom pair with Folin.
It’s still odd to give all your confidence in someone you couldn’t trust. At the same time, what if Ouellet or Otto Leskinen really impress at training camp? You can’t think that way as a general manager and instead, have to prepare for all scenarios, but it is odd.
Perhaps it wouldn’t be as head-scratching if it were a one-year deal instead of a two.
Regardless, the Montreal Canadiens are giving Reilly the opportunity to improve and be an option on the blue line. Defence can be taught but not the offensive awareness and shot-generating ability he has. It would be really beneficial for the Habs if Reilly can put everything together, but only time will tell there.