The Rangers are expected to acquire winger Reilly Smith in a trade with the Penguins, per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. Pittsburgh is receiving a second-round pick and a fifth-round pick in return, The Athletic’s Shayna Goldman reports. The teams confirmed the second-rounder is in 2027 and the fifth-rounder is a conditional 2025 selection. The Penguins are retaining 25% of Smith’s salary, bringing his cap hit down from $5MM to $3.75MM for New York. The conditional 2025 fifth-rounder will be the worse of the two picks New York owns in that round – theirs and the Wild’s.
The Penguins are moving on from Smith after just one season, having acquired him in exchange for a 2024 third-round pick during the 2023 NHL Draft. Smith went on to total 13 goals and 40 points, failing to translate his strong scoring upside to a shakier role with the Penguins. He was much more robust in Vegas; one of many players to see a breakout year in Vegas’ inaugural season, scoring 22 goals and 60 points in 67 games and adding 22 points in 20 postseason games. He held onto the scoring through his next five years with the Golden Knights, consistently rivaling 50-point pace and even twice topping 25 goals.
Smith has developed into a capable middle-six scorer, whose offense held up even amidst an inconsistent role in Pittsburgh. What’s better, he’s an unrestricted free agent next summer, giving the Rangers a chance to test out his roster fit before committing to him long-term. The Rangers have rotated through veteran scorers over the last few seasons, cycling in players like Patrick Kane, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Blake Wheeler. Smith will be the latest iteration, set for the same role in the lineup as his predecessors.
But unlike those before him, Smith offers the perk of playoff consistency, having totaled 26 goals and 79 points across 106 postseason appearances, including 14 points in 22 games during Vegas’ 2023 Stanley Cup run. The Rangers have boasted some of the best offenses in the league over the last few seasons, only to fall short in the Eastern Conference Finals in both 2022 and 2024. A lack of goal-scoring depth has proven the fault both times, forcing New York to lean on, and quickly tire out, their stars.
Smith could also provide a good shot to match Alexis Lafreniere’s quick playmaking, with the pair likely bound for New York’s second line. Lafreniere was among the most polarizing Rangers late in the season, scoring eight goals and 14 points in 16 playoff games after netting a career-high 28 goals and 57 points in the regular season. Veteran additions like Smith could point towards New York’s investment in yet another young star, though that will ultimately sit with how Peter Laviolette chooses to deploy his top-six.
…and there was much rejoicing.
Almost any return for Smith is a good return, provided it clears cap space.
Pens retain 85% of salary.
Pens must retain 125% of salary and pinky swear not to sign any more old guys.
God I hope you are kidding
That’s about accurate
Actually Pens retain only 25%
What a horrible trade for NYR…2nd rd pick for a 33yr old coming off a 40pt season making 5mil
Teams can’t hold more then 50% of a players contract, that’s why 2 years or so ago during flat cap a player would be involved in a 3 team trade, have 50% held from the original team, the next team would hold 50% and the acquiring team would get them for 25% of the original deal
@Murphy NFLD — I think the guys were using those numbers tongue-in-cheek. Although, many of us wouldn’t mind seeing the “double-secret probation” type of operation to get rid of these contracts.
This was one of those moves that legit looked good on paper, but year…junk.
Can’t believe we got a 2nd and a 5th for a guy we paid a 3rd for back when he was considered a better player and younger. Thanks, Drury.
Rakell is equally worthless for the same cap hit at even longer and no one talks about it. How we got a 2nd even if a few years from now is a miracle
Smith could be a short term fit on RW with Kreider and Zibanejid. GM Drury seems to like throwing away 2rd draft picks for less than great returns.
I think the key for the 2nd rounder was the 25% salary retention. I agree it’s a stiff price to pay, but with the Rangers cap constraints, it’s not surprising, just disappointing.
“…giving the Rangers a chance to test out his roster fit before committing to him long-term.”
He’s 33 years old. Long-term as in a two year deal?
Also, not sure how he’s going to help Laffy as stated if he’s not on the same line. I’d say that line isn’t changing with Panarin, Trocheck and LaF.