The Pittsburgh Penguins have convinced one of their college draft picks to sign a two-year entry-level contract, inking William Reilly before he had the opportunity to become an unrestricted free agent later this summer. Reilly recently finished his senior season at RPI, where he served as captain. Penguins GM Jim Rutherford released a short statement on his newest defenseman:
Will had an impressive year in 2019-20 after continuing to improve during his four years at RPI. His commitment to working hard and improving his conditioning has paid off. We are happy to add another young player, increasing our organizational depth on defense.
Originally selected in the seventh round of the 2017 draft, Reilly has steadily developed through his four years at college and now stands as a legitimate prospect. In 2019-20 the 22-year old defenseman recorded 22 points in 34 games, while also being a leader in his own end.
Named a finalist for the ECAC Best Defensive Defenseman this season, Reilly shouldn’t be overlooked as a potential option down the line for the Penguins. The team has perhaps the most impressive history in the league of working with late-round or undrafted college players and turning them into NHL assets, something they’ll try to do again with Reilly.
Too many so called fans have yet to figure that Rutherford trading so many of his draft picks for NHL assets is the reason why so many college players want to sign here…because they aren’t blocked by top round picks.
He has his cake and eats it, too.
Instead, I hear “he’s giving up the future!!!”
Too many yinzer fans who think NHL draft picks work the same as NFL draft picks. Apples and oranges because all of the kids being drafted are still in high school and most high round picks never pan out. College playes in hockey are like drafting college football players. Of course the yinzers hear the talking heads who really have no idea what they are talking about but always want to get yinzers to call so they of course bad mouth any GM or coach that is in season so that yinzers will call to jump on the bandwagon.
@forwhomjoshbelltolls – Maybe some of that yapping from those “fans”, is due to the occasional bad signing. Hey, you “fans!” That happens to EVERY GM! GMJR has stuck to his template and PIT is consistently competitive year in and year out. Sure, I’ve “yelled” at him for signing this guy, moving that guy out, but he’s making calculated efforts to keep the team near the top. No GM will be 100% right on every move, but he’s got a decent track record that shouldn’t be overlooked. Look at some of the GMs that get one “sort of right”, then botch 7 in a row. They’re the ones starring at the Draft Lottery Show every year. GMJR also has a knack for (usually) finding the right (chemistry-wise) interchangeable parts for whatever line needs them. Got to give him props for that, too.
They drafted Reilly
Drafting a college player is borderline irrelevant in the modern NHL.
He was a few months and zero more games to play away from being a UFA by virtue of the silly loophole (Justin Schultz, Jimmy Vesey, etc), so they still had to convince him to sign. Same with Marino after trading for him when Edmonton couldn’t sign him. Unlike the foreign or CHL players who are property.