Reilly Smith going from the Rangers to the Golden Knights was a pleasant surprise for Las Vegas. Some people expected Kelly McCrimmon to pull off a trade and get a discounted deal. Not many, though. Still, how does $1.875 million for the rest of the season sound?
But there was a surprising confession by the general manager. According to Remy Mastey of Yahoo Sports, both sides were in communication for a "period of time". McCrimmon even confessed to deciding on Smith a week before the trade went down.
"We had had talks all week and decided that Reilly Smith was our guy."Kelly McCrimmon
Smith himself had a warm feeling about the deal, talking about how easy it was to adjust.
"When you get traded, there's always so much new change, not just the stuff on the ice, but everything around it. So to be able to come back here and have so much familiarity, it definitely feels like coming home a little bit."Reilly Smith
Spending six seasons with your former club makes the decision much easier. That's especially true when you score 124 goals heading into the second go-round. Add 12 short-handed goals to the mix and the trade was a simple no-brainer.
Having William Karlsson around as a fellow "Misfit" sweetens the deal, too. Sadly, don't expect Jonathan Marchessault to return any time soon. He's too busy teaching his son how to two-step for the upcoming dance-off (South Park fans will get the reference).
The feeling was mutual between Kelly McCrimmon and Reilly Smith
They say familiarity breeds contempt... At least in Marchessault's case. Seeing the same surroundings over and over again can cause a person to go insane. In turn, they're asking for a change of scenery, whether it's being straightforward or subtle.
However, that wasn't the case for Smith. He had a good season with the New York Rangers before coming to the Vegas Golden Knights. It's to the tune of 10 goals and 19 assists. That was part of the equation, though.
It's also familiarizing yourself with key players like Mark Stone and Jack Eichel. It makes it much easier to get yourself into the locker room culture since the team recognizes you. Winning the Stanley Cup in 2023 makes this a cakewalk because the memories will last.
That's why chemistry matters for the Golden Knights
The team knew what it took to go all the way in 2023 and that chemistry will be in play again. Could fans see a "Misfit" reunion on the third line sans Napoleon Bonaparte? It could happen once Karlsson makes his long-awaited return.
It could also be as simple as giving him time on the top line with Eichel. Bruce Cassidy did the same thing with Marchessault during the 2023-24 season. What happened? 42 goals for the winger.
Now, that's not going to happen in such a short spurt of time (although it'd be greatly appreciated). However, a temporary stay on the top unit could give Eichel another shooter. That way, opponents aren't leaving their winger open (i.e. Mark Stone).
The possibilities are endless. They're also proof that bringing an old face back can make life easier for a hockey team. For Bruce Cassidy, he doesn't have to worry about team chemistry or where he can go in the lineup. Sometimes, the intangibles make a trade inevitable.