Reilly Smith is beloved by the Vegas Golden Knights community. He's the OG host of the "Battle 4 Vegas" event pitting the Golden Knights against the Raiders. He's also a Golden Misfit, playing with the team since the team's first puck drop.
He's developed such a solid connection with the Las Vegas community that he still kept his house even after being traded to Pittsburgh. Lo and behold, he comes back in a trade from the New York Rangers. Out goes Brendan Brisson and in comes a chance for another run.
This doesn't have to be the end of the current chapter, though. Smith has expressed a fervent desire to remain in Las Vegas at any cost. He wants to retire here and stake a claim in the team's short, yet legendary, history.
But could that come at a price? You see, Smith scored 13 goals and 27 assists with the Rangers and Golden Knights this past season. Sure, it might not be the typical 20+ goals he scores in a season. But it's nice from a depth standpoint, yielding a potentially decent contract.
Let's say Kelly McCrimmon doesn't bite on the deal and lets Smith walk. One would assume that the Toronto native doesn't raise a stink about his kid's peewee camp aspirations because he's not a certified Karen like that. Still, there are three consequences to letting the Original Misfit go.
1.) You don't have a shorthanded scoring threat alongside William Karlsson
Between the two Misfits, both have combined for 26 shorthanded goals with the Vegas Golden Knights during their respective tenures. Smith and Karlsson have revolutionized the "Power Kill," a unit that pounces on turnovers for quick goals.
You need that scoring edge to ensure the penalty kill doesn't go to waste. On top of that, it swings the momentum in your favor, getting you closer to winning the game.
Such special teams depth is invaluable to the Golden Knights, giving them an edge when the exits aren't clearing the defensive zone. Separating the two doesn't bring out the best of the other, leaving them handicapped.
2.) You lose winger depth
Speaking of which, part of why the Golden Knights were eliminated was because of the lack of scoring depth. Not many players stepped up to the plate when the team was down in the second round.
Players like Tomas Hertl and Ivan Barbashev didn't even score a point in the second round. While Smith only scored two goals in Game 3, one of those was the buzzer-beater. Overall, the Misfit has 29 career goals and 54 career assists during the postseason (117 games), making him valuable in many aspects.
Losing a veteran winger means you're down another depth piece. When you're trying to compete with teams like the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers, every piece counts. If you can bring back the 34-year-old on a discount, it'd be wise to do so.
3.) Reilly Smith is a positive in the locker room
Sometimes, intangibles account for a team's success. That can consist of a player's veteran presence and leadership. That also includes familiarity with a team's system, whether it's the forechecking or penalty kill.
That's what Smith brings to the table. Being with the team since "Day F****** One" and knowing how the organization works is invaluable, especially when you need that slight edge.
Fortunately, the Misfit provides that for the Golden Knights. He's well-liked in the locker room, the organization, and the community. When a player says he's willing to do whatever it takes to remain with your team and he still has some mileage, you know you should keep him on board.