Reilly Smith: "If you were a chick, who's the one guy you'd sleep with?"
Both William Karlsson and Reilly Smith: "JOHN STAMOS!"
William Karlsson: "WHAT?!"
Reilly Smith: "Did we just become best friends?"
William Karlsson: "YEP!"
Both players give a high-five.
Reilly Smith: "Do you want to go do karate in the garage?"
William Karlsson: "YEP!"
Both players run out of the room and head towards the garage.
Okay, that was actually from Step Brothers and not actually something the two Vegas Golden Knights players actually said. Still, imagine if the two Golden Misfits played that scene off before a hockey game? Wouldn't that be cool?!
It's even better with Smith re-signing with the Golden Knights for an additional year. He'll get $2 million in 2025-26 and has a full no-trade clause in effect. No matter how hard Kelly McCrimmon tries, he can't simply move the Misfit without his approval.
That's part of why William Karlsson shouldn't go, either. The Swedish center has been subjected to various trade rumors, specifically centered around the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Original Six team is looking for forward depth after Mitch Marner packs his bags and leaves. But Karlsson's best buddy returning for another year shouldn't be solely why he stays put.
The main reason why William Karlsson and Reilly Smith should stay together with the Vegas Golden Knights
As mentioned, the Vegas Golden Knights are better when the two Golden Misfits are together. There's a better shot selection, more goals, and more productivity that happens. When you're searching for goal scoring, having two players familiar with each other's styles pays off.
That's especially true when they've been together since "Day F****** One." Between the two Misfits, they've scored 288 goals and 405 assists during their Golden Knights tenures. That includes 26 shorthanded goals that revolutionized the "power kill."
That penalty kill was in full effect during the Stanley Cup playoffs, suffocating opposing power plays. Considering the Oilers have Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid on the same team, stopping 83.3% of opposing power plays during the postseason is massive.
Smith and Karlsson together isn't just for nostalgia purposes
The Golden Misfits hold a special place in the hearts of many Las Vegans. They represent triumph and not quitting when life gets rough. When the team went on an incredible run en route to the Stanley Cup Final in 2018, nobody represented the city's will and resilience better.
Both William Karlsson and Reilly Smith are the respective faces of that run, bringing hope and promise to the city. The Swedish center scored a franchise-best 43 goals that year, while the Toronto native scored 22 goals and 38 assists. Without those two, where would the franchise be?
Of course, being a nostalgia trip isn't just what the duo does. They also kill penalties and turn the special teams unit into a threat to score. Nobody else can say that about any other unit in the NHL.
All of that over bonding over velociraptors, too. I can't wait for the next Catalina Wine Mixer.