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Reilly Smith Talks Boychuk, Boston/Dallas Differences & The Misery Of Holding Out

BOSTON (CBS) - 98.5 The Sports Hub's Toucher & Rich were joined Thursday morning by Bruins forward Reilly Smith.

The discussion started with Johnny Boychuk, who comes to town tonight wearing a different colored uniform after being traded before the start of the season to the Islanders.

"It's going to be a little weird [facing Boychuk]. He's such a good teammate, just such a good guy. He definitely made the transition to Boston for me a lot easier, just always keeping the mood light in the dressing room," Smith said of his former teammate. "It'll be weird playing against him and seeing him wear the opposite jersey, but it should be fun. He's off to such a hot start this year so I'm sure he's probably having a little bit of fun."

Johnny-Boychuk
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The feeling from fans and the media who cover the team is that the team got off to such a slow start because of the absence of Boychuk, and the residual effect it had in the locker room.

Smith didn't quite know how to describe the feeling his teammates had when the news came down, but did admit they suspected a move was coming.

"(General manager) Peter Chiarelli and the Boston management made it pretty clear that we had too many good NHL and NHL-ready defensemen, so I think everyone suspected somebody had to be moved," said Smith. "You never know who it's going to be, but it ended up being Boychuck in that scenario. It's tough for him because he's had such a good career, and such a good last year in Boston, so you never want to see a guy like that move. I guess that's just how the game plays out sometimes."

Reilly Smith -- Acquired From Dallas
Forward Reilly Smith during his time in Dallas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Reilly Smith is no stranger to trades. He was sent to Boston from Dallas last summer along with Loui Eriksson in a blockbuster trade involving former Bruins first round pick Tyler Seguin.

The biggest difference between the two cities?

"I think it's definitely the fans and the media," Smith said of Boston. "Walking around in Dallas you can be the captain of the Stars and nobody notices you. You can be a third or fourth line forward for the Bruins and be hailed down three times a day. That aspect changes a lot. It's great to play for a city that cares so much about its sports. I'm happy about the trade. I wouldn't want to be in any other place."

Rich added that some athletes prefer being anonymous in their respective cities so they can maintain their privacy. Having seen both ends of the spectrum, Smith prefers the bright lights and big city.

"I do like it more here. Maybe it's just because I'm younger in my career and you try to get all the starlight and the fandom all at once. It seems like the older players like it more low key, but as of right now I'm loving every minute of it."

Fred quipped, "So if you could take the girls from Dallas and put them in Boston..."

"That would be the ideal scenario," Smith joked as he finished the sentence.

Smith and teammate Torey Krug were absent for most of training camp as a result of their non-contract status as restricted free agents. Unable to come to terms on a deal, the two Bruins were "antsy" to return, but trained in Connecticut as they awaited the outcome of the negotiations.

"It's one of the most miserable times ever. I didn't expect it to take so much of a toll on me mentally, but it does. Hopefully I won't have to go through that scenario anytime soon."

After talking about the different line combinations being experimented with, the conversation shifted to the Bruins 7th Player Award, the NESN creation designed to honor the unheralded hero of the season.

Reilly Smith
(Photo from Boston Bruins/Instagram)

Smith took home the award last year, and Rich joked with him about it this morning.

"Does part of you go, 'Wow, people really expected me to not be very good?'"

"I was like 'So I'm getting the most improved player award? Like the one you get in gym class for being the worst?'" Smith said with a smile ."It was good. I worked hard last year. I had a lot of success, probably even more than I expected myself. It was definitely a good start to my Bruins career."

"It was a great year. I just wonder if they said, 'Boy we thought you were gonna suck!' when they handed it to you," said Rich.

"Honestly, probably. It probably said that in the fine print."

Listen below for the full interview!

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