Reilly Smith

MTaylorJ1

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Sep 20, 2006
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I think the problem with Kelly, is that he scored 20 goals two years ago...

Now everyone expects that type of production from him, and if they don't see it - they assume he's not playing well.

Chris Kelly from 2 years ago was an anomaly... He's not really a 20 goal scorer. What he is, is a guy who will chip in 10ish goals, while playing solid hockey on both ends of the ice. He's a great penalty killer and a guy who gives Claude some flexibility (as he's capable of playing all 3 forward positions). The "A" on his jersey tells us all we need to know about his leadership skills.

While not flashy, the one thing he is, is steady. Chris Kelly hasn't changed as a player, even though the expectations some fans have of him, has...

Now back to talking about Mr. Smith!

I can't speak for others, but yes, he has changed, and I'm not basing this on Kelly's 20 goal season like you claim.

(82 game averages below)

Player A 7-10-17
Player B 14-18-32
Player C 7-13-20

Any guesses as to the 3 players?

Player A is Chris Kelly post lockout, Player B is Chris Kelly pre lockout, Player C is Gregory Campbell.

Pre lockout Chris Kelly brought all of the leadership, defense, faceoffs, etc. AND produced just over 32 points per season.

Post lockout Chris Kelly is a defensive specialist who produces like Gregory Campbell. It's not an expectation thing, it's a marked drop in production despite the same ice time thing.
 

Killer B

Honey Badger don't care
Aug 28, 2008
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I can't speak for others, but yes, he has changed, and I'm not basing this on Kelly's 20 goal season like you claim.

(82 game averages below)

Player A 7-10-17
Player B 14-18-32
Player C 7-13-20

Any guesses as to the 3 players?

Player A is Chris Kelly post lockout, Player B is Chris Kelly pre lockout, Player C is Gregory Campbell.

Pre lockout Chris Kelly brought all of the leadership, defense, faceoffs, etc. AND produced just over 32 points per season.

Post lockout Chris Kelly is a defensive specialist who produces like Gregory Campbell. It's not an expectation thing, it's a marked drop in production despite the same ice time thing.


Post lockout Kelly also broke his leg (took a bit to regain form) and was part of an odd, season long experiment shuffling wingers in and out of the 3rd line (Kelly being the only constant).
 

MTaylorJ1

Registered User
Sep 20, 2006
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Post lockout Kelly also broke his leg (took a bit to regain form) and was part of an odd, season long experiment shuffling wingers in and out of the 3rd line (Kelly being the only constant).

It wasn't really an odd experiment. Chiarelli paid Kelly and Pevs as though they were almost lower level 2nd liners, and expected that they could use them to cover up for low cost players and elc's on the 3rd line, which is actually very reasonable. They both played poorly last year throughout the season, neither of them recovering any kind of pre-lockout form at any point, so that plan failed, even after they put one of the teams leading scorers on the line with them.

And it's carried over (the lack of production 5pts/21 games) into this season. That's a <20 pt pace. Not good enough on the 3rd line when they play solid minutes.
 

Killer B

Honey Badger don't care
Aug 28, 2008
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It wasn't really an odd experiment. Chiarelli paid Kelly and Pevs as though they were almost lower level 2nd liners, and expected that they could use them to cover up for low cost players and elc's on the 3rd line, which is actually very reasonable. They both played poorly last year throughout the season, neither of them recovering any kind of pre-lockout form at any point, so that plan failed, even after they put one of the teams leading scorers on the line with them.

And it's carried over (the lack of production 5pts/21 games) into this season. That's a <20 pt pace. Not good enough on the 3rd line when they play solid minutes.



I get where you're coming from - Kelly is overpaid for what he brings and isn't worth his last contract. That's a whole different conversation (and we shouldn't have it in the "Smith" thread).
 

World of Wardlow

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Jul 13, 2006
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I didn't know much about Smith when the trade with Dallas went down, but he has been by far the most impressive. Definitely fits in the bruins mold. Gets in the dirty corners, wins battles, and plays good hockey. I'm really enjoying his game so far.
 

dredeye

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Mar 3, 2008
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I didn't know much about Smith when the trade with Dallas went down, but he has been by far the most impressive. Definitely fits in the bruins mold. Gets in the dirty corners, wins battles, and plays good hockey. I'm really enjoying his game so far.

It's really too bad that the Erikson transition has gone as smoothly. If they were both as much of a jump to their respective lines this trade would really be looking fantastic right now
 

World of Wardlow

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Jul 13, 2006
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It's really too bad that the Erikson transition has gone as smoothly. If they were both as much of a jump to their respective lines this trade would really be looking fantastic right now
Eriksson is starting to get a groove on, though. But Smith has looked real good from the get-go.
 

ODAAT

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Oct 17, 2006
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It's really too bad that the Erikson transition has gone as smoothly. If they were both as much of a jump to their respective lines this trade would really be looking fantastic right now

Still believe this trade will look great in the long run, have absolutely no issues with it now, could care less Segs is putting up numbers

"If" Morrow or Fraser turn out to be players either the B`s employ at the NHL level or can use as chips to acquire help down the road...............GIDDY UP
 

Sea Bass Neely

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Jun 6, 2013
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Still believe this trade will look great in the long run, have absolutely no issues with it now, could care less Segs is putting up numbers

"If" Morrow or Fraser turn out to be players either the B`s employ at the NHL level or can use as chips to acquire help down the road...............GIDDY UP

I second that. Morrow has been a very highly regarded prospect (selected 23rd overall) and while draft position doesn't equate with success... it speaks to what scouts have seen in his game.

Dallas wanted Joe M. when they shipped Brenden Morrow to Pittsburgh, and now WE got him!! Hopefully he pans out even if as a chip for a future trade, as you implied.

If Seidenberg is sidelined for any significant length of time, with Bartkowski also playing hurt last night (hopefully he is OK)... we may even get a look at Joe M. sooner than we thought.

I hope not... he needs more time in Providence. You never know, though.
 

Bruinswillwin77

My name is Pete
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May 29, 2011
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Any of you guys see the Bruins-Beat clip on Bostonbruins.com where they show Reilly Smith getting hit by Chara during practice, Big Z Throws Reilly over the boards! Lol I guess they practice rough N tough.
 

KrejciMVP

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Jun 30, 2011
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Tampa, Florida
Still believe this trade will look great in the long run, have absolutely no issues with it now, could care less Segs is putting up numbers

"If" Morrow or Fraser turn out to be players either the B`s employ at the NHL level or can use as chips to acquire help down the road...............GIDDY UP

I agree we got 4 players in this deal and Im excited about all of them. The team is the beast of the east
 

Alicat

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Any of you guys see the Bruins-Beat clip on Bostonbruins.com where they show Reilly Smith getting hit by Chara during practice, Big Z Throws Reilly over the boards! Lol I guess they practice rough N tough.

It was fantastic. Even better were the faces on the bench. Welcome to Boston indeed. This kid is something else. He is thriving here and his instant chemistry with Kelly and Yeti was evident from day 1 in camp.

The SKY line is only going to get better as the season goes on.
 

KrejciMVP

Registered User
Jun 30, 2011
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Tampa, Florida
Reilly Smith is a beast out there on the 3rd. Good passer, great shot, Eriksson looking good last night too, reminds of Krejci and is strong on the puck. Personally I am very happy we traded Seguin and got so much talent back.
 

Buckets and Gloves

klaatu barada nikto
Aug 14, 2011
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Smith has been a revelation... here I was worried ****less about the 3rd line... did not think someone like Smith would step in and fit like a missing puzzle piece.
 

ODAAT

Registered User
Oct 17, 2006
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Victoria BC
Smith has been a revelation... here I was worried ****less about the 3rd line... did not think someone like Smith would step in and fit like a missing puzzle piece.

This edition of a 3rd line has enabled me to completely wipe out the memory of that train wreck from last season

Smith has been a shock to me but to be fair, I never followed the Stars and new nothing of him to begin with. The kid just seems to be where he needs to be, makes the odd young mistake but you can live with that seeing as he busts his tail out there, plays bigger than he is etc....
 

don

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Aug 31, 2002
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Love him on the PP. Used to think he should be on Bergeron's LW but have changed my mind. Now think Soderberg should be there.
 

Bi Coastal Bawse*

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Couldn't watch the game but saw 2 highlights where Smith could have scored but the goalie got it. One of the shots it looked like he held on for too long.
 

Dellstrom

Pastrnasty
May 1, 2011
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Smith has been a revelation... here I was worried ****less about the 3rd line... did not think someone like Smith would step in and fit like a missing puzzle piece.

Yeah, two complete wild cards had me worried as well.

Luckily, we struck two winners. Two big ones, at that. :)

Smith really fits the mentality of this team. He's not the biggest, not the strongest, not the most skilled. Not even close in any of those departments. But he does everything he's asked to, and he does it well. Every time, he goes out there and does it with full effort. He'll be here for quite a while if he keeps it up. You can say what you want about the offseason movements, but I think they've made us a much tougher team. You won't get Seguin's sexy regular season stats, but you get three gritty guys in Iggy, Loui, and Smith. All three of them crash the net and get to the dirty areas, all three are multi-dimensional, and are part of our philosophy of wearing teams down. This team is going to be hell to play against in a 7 game series.
 

Sea Bass Neely

Registered User
Jun 6, 2013
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Rhode Island
Love him on the PP. Used to think he should be on Bergeron's LW but have changed my mind. Now think Soderberg should be there.

Same here... as Soderberg has progressed coming off the ankle injury the Big Swede has surpassed Smith as the "guy who earned the shot to take Brad Marchand's spot on the second line" in the case that Marchand's struggles continue and there is a 2nd line shake-up.

Regardless of speculation like that, it isn't so much that Smith's play has declined. It's more that Soderberg is playing like an outright stud, at least value-wise, and a HUGE steal at the absolute least.

Both Smith and Soderberg have turned out to be steals, or least appear to be at this point in the season. Marchand's struggles aside, the aforementioned 3rd line duo have come along quite nicely in tandem with Chris Kelly... that line looks fantastic especially when you consider what a disaster it (the 3rd line) was for long stretches last season.

Smith has been such a sweet surprise... he is still young too, i think only 22 years old. It's not unreasonable to think he's got a considerable chance to improve on his game as he matures.

He might even end up being as good, or even better, than Loui Eriksson has proved to be not just this year but in his entire career. I don't think it's that crazy to at least deem it possible... and that's not a knock on Eriksson, it's a compliment to the Seguin trade "throw-in".

Soderberg has been even better, although not QUITE as much of a surprise IMO because Yeti is older (28) and there were higher expectations for him to begin with. Still, his play has exceeded expectations just like his opposite winger on the 3rd line.

Both fit the Bruins mold. Work hard, be responsible on D, and be physical when you should (at least adequately).
 
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slim399

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May 1, 2002
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I have really liked his play this season and the kid is racking up points. I think it is just a matter of time before he starts scoring more goals. I'm not nervous about Eriksson I think he is hitting stride and will be a solid overall player for this team for a long time. Bergeron seems to really like playing on a line with him. Morrow is putting up good points in the A and should at least be a 5-6 guy getting good power play time in the NHL. My question is will Fraser get a shot on this team and how will his game translate to the NHL. I haven't seen him play but just looking at his stats his goal scoring production is pretty unreal. I wonder if given a chance in the future and being sheltered on a line with Krejci/Lucic or Bergeron/ Eriksson and given good power play time he could thrive in the next level.

Overall very happy with the trade and pretty nice walking away overall from the two big Kessell/ Seguin trades with a ton of high quality depth in Hamilton, Eriksson, Smith, Knight, Morrow, Fraser
 

patty59

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Apr 6, 2008
18,632
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This kid's a player, very smart and shifty. Chiarelli and co. have been doing a great job in the scouting department with these "throw ins" lately. Greg Campbell, Bartkowski and now Smith. All solid contributors to the team.
 

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