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Reilly Smith: 'Everyone in the league' thought Panthers were tough to play last season

Winslow Townson / USA TODAY Sports

Reilly Smith doesn't believe he's moving too far south after being traded from the Boston Bruins to the Florida Panthers earlier this summer.

Geographically, yes, but not in terms of the NHL standings.

As he begins skating with his new teammates in advance of training camp, Smith - who recorded three goals and three assists in six games against the Panthers - knows he's joining a club on the rise.

"They were a tough team to play against. Everyone in the league thought that," Smith told Mike Lewis of the team's website. "They were pretty stingy, they put a lot of games into overtime and seemed they were winning a lot in the shootout.

"It's an exciting time to be a part of this team and this organization because it seems like they are on the up-and-up and it's nice to see they are honing in on the direction they want to take."

Smith, 24, spent two seasons with the Bruins, recording a career-high 20 goals and 51 assists in 2013-14, and following up that performance with 13 goals and 27 assists this past season.

With two years and $6.85 million remaining on his contract, Smith will be looked upon to replace the 19 goals scored by Jimmy Hayes, who was sent to the Bruins in the trade.

More importantly, he'll be looking to help the Panthers make up the five-point difference in the standings between the two clubs. Both teams fell short of a playoff spot this past season and are expected to be wild-card bubble teams this season.

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