Could the Vegas Golden Knights Bring Reilly Smith Back?
Reilly Smith was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the summertime. But could the Vegas Golden Knights bring the original Misfit back?
1. The Pros of Bringing Back Reilly Smith
One huge benefit of seeing Reilly Smith in a Vegas Golden Knights jersey again is adding scoring depth. The Knights have been hit hard with injuries all season, losing stars such as William Karlsson and Jack Eichel. By bringing the Original Misfit back, you can plug him in and revive the Misfit Line.
Smith was also coming off arguably the best year of his career last season. He scored 26 goals and notched 30 assists, making him a potent depth piece for Vegas. Sounds as appetizing as a Granny Smith apple, right?
There's also the special teams factor that he brings. He's an effective penalty killer that knows his position well. He's also great on the power play, making him a threat to score on both ends of the spectrum. Considering Vegas's less-than-stellar track record on the power play, it would help the team if Smith returned.
The right winger can also be slotted in the Knights lineup easily. Whether it's being reunited with Karlsson and Jonathan Marchessault or mentoring the younger guys, Smith has the flexibility to make the offense better. Plus, he's able to get dirty on every play, winning puck battles and acting as an asset on the forecheck.
2. The Cons of Bringing Back Reilly Smith
The obvious problem that sticks out is Reilly Smith's age. At the age of 32, the Penguin is seeing a decline in both his body and his production. Just look at his stats this season compared to last year. 35 projected points compared to 56 points is a steep drop-off for a player. In fact, that gap could fall off a cliff.
On the injury note, Smith is recovering from an injured left arm and returned against the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday. The wear and tear of an NHL career will do that, my dear. With the former Misfit returning for the first time since January 11, what good does it do if he also gets hurt?
Of course, this isn't the first time that he's had injury problems. Last season, Smith had lower body injuries that sidelined him for four games. In 2021-2022, he missed the last 24 games of the season with a knee injury. With his history of getting hurt, that puts his reliability into question.
Besides, Vegas has been better with scoring in recent memory. With the return of William Karlsson and other key players coming soon, the Golden Knights get a power play/offensive piece back in Karlsson. The services of Smith won't be required as much, especially if it requires parting with a draft pick.
3. The Verdict on Reilly Smith
While the Vegas Golden Knights won't be getting the same Reilly Smith from the previous tenure, it's good to have a depth piece. His familiarity with the team and veteran presence will make Vegas better offensively. Plus, the fans would welcome back Smith with arms wide open.
If the Golden Knights do pull the trigger, you could look at a 2025 fourth-round or 2024 or 2025 fifth-round draft pick being swapped. Vegas will love to have their Original Misfit back in action. With the stars aligning, that reality is looking more like a possibility. It's almost like a return was written in the stars.
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