
That is, unless he is claimed off the waiver wire.
The Boston Bruins announced today they have placed Mike Reilly on unconditional waivers. If Reilly goes unclaimed, the Bruins can proceed with buying out the remaining year of their three-year contract. Reilly had signed the contract valued at $9 million on July 27, 2021 and was set to earn $4 million in the final year of his contract.
Many thought that it would be the perfect situation for Reilly to thrive under Coach Jim Montgomery and the way he wanted to utilize his defencemen. Instead, he found himself buried in Providence after attempts to move him didn’t materialize. That was a hard pill to swallow for the Bruins because they still had to absorb a $1.8 million cap hit.
Unable to move his $3 million cap hit with $4 million in real money still owed and the Bruins cap situation, they could ill afford to bury him in Providence for the entire season once again. And the cap hit could be better spent somewhere else.
So, by buying him out Reilly will carry a small cap hit this season of $333,334 giving them $2,666,667 to spend on other areas. It will also carry a cap hit of $1,333,334 for the 2024-2025 season when the cap will take a significant jump.
The move now leaves the Bruins with $12,804,166 in cap space heading into free agent frenzy tomorrow.

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