Why the grade
A slight dip in production was always expected from Vegas’ big hitters in 2018-19 but, despite that formality coming true, Reilly Smith still put up superb numbers and was a huge factor for his team.
Teams were more aware of the Golden Knights last year and, as a result, they were also more wary of the top line that dominated every time they took to the ice for a shift.
So, as a result, Smith, Karlsson and Marchessault were having to adapt to and get used to playing against much tougher and more physical matchups.
They figured it out eventually and all found their groove coming out of the All-Star Break, particularly Smith who went on one hell of a tear with 26 points in 27 games.
He was a key presence on the power play and the penalty kill, and he was relied on heavily throughout the year, logging on average of 18:16 minutes of ice time a night.
His 53 points (19 goals, 34 assists) were only seven points off from tying a career-high, while he ranked tied-first on the Golden Knights in assists with 34 alongside Marchessault.
In order to become an elite player in today’s NHL you have to be able to do a bit of everything and Smith was also hugely effective in the defensive zone.
He achieved a career-high in takeaways (67), which was 13 more than his previous high of 54, and he also laid on 39 hits and 33 blocked shots.
Smith has rounded into a top line two-way forward for the Golden Knights and, with three years left on his five-year, $25,000,000 deal, the left shot has plenty of opportunity to add a Stanley Cup to his resume with this franchise.
The numbers
Games: 74
Goals: 19
Assists: 34
Points: 53
Power Play Points: 14
Power Play Goals: 4
PIM: 14
ATOI: 18:16
Plus / Minus: +13
Hits: 39
Blocked Shots: 33
Takeaways: 67
CF%: 54.3
oZS%: 51.2
Games (Playoffs): 7
Goals (Playoffs): 1
Assists (Playoffs): 5
Points (Playoffs): 6
ATOI (Playoffs): 19:12
Next Report Card: Cody Eakin