Today unrestricted free agent Mike Reilly informed the Columbus Blue Jackets that he would not be signing with the team and exercising his right to sign with another team. The team has also been informed that he is down to “two or three teams”. Those teams aren’t currently known by the general public.
The Mike Reilly saga has been a source of ongoing drama with the Blue Jackets since missing the playoffs this year. Reilly has an impressive resume to be sure, scoring 42 points this year at a point per game pace. Many onlookers say that he could step into someone’s defensive top six immediately. Opinions through the CBJ community will be varied as many will see his decision to not sign with the Blue Jackets as a betrayal of the team. Rather than a betrayal, this should be seen as a unique opportunity for a player that is able to take advantage of the system that has been presented to him. Unfortunately the Jackets aren’t on the winning end.
The team is ready to move on without him and with the possible restructuring of the defense looming, it definitely brings more intrigue to the draft where deals are inevitably made.
Jarmo: "He exercised his right to talk to other teams. He narrowed his list to 2-3 teams today & we're not one of them, so we move on." #CBJ
— Rob Mixer (@RobMixer) June 17, 2015
It has only been two days since the end of the Stanley Cup but the offseason already looks to be in full swing. Buckle up.
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