Boy, does it feel good to be back! Reilly Smith is back with the Vegas Golden Knights after brief stints with the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins. He was initially traded to Pittsburgh to offset his salary cap hit of $5 million. Now? He returns with a $1.875 million cap hit and the Rangers getting Brendan Brisson.
Seeing these moves has one believe that Kelly McCrimmon is playing 4D chess. Pay him $5 million initially and get him for more than half the cap hit? That takes some slick maneuvering. It's no wonder the general manager is amazing at offsetting costs. He's not afraid to lessen the burden on his team.
Sure, he might not be producing Smith-like numbers of old (the winger has 10 goals and 19 assists this season). However, he's still a valuable asset. The 33-year-old is still a scoring threat on the penalty kill and does whatever's needed of his team. Such work ethic and selfless mentality should never be discounted.
So... Where do you put him? You're not sticking him on the fourth line as he's been practicing. No, he's earned his stripes and doesn't deserve that sort of "hello." Not after six full seasons while making your seventh, you're not.
Instead, it should be with a familiar friend. It's not Jonathan Marchessault since they're singing the country blues near the Central Division basement. It's not fun when you've become the premier retirement home in Nashville, after all. There's a better alternative and he's Swedish (once he returns, that is).
Reilly Smith should play on William Karlsson's right wing, just like old times
NHL fans might look at this logic and have many questions. They might worry about the line's age, saying the duo can't do what they used to do. Still, that shouldn't deter Bruce Cassidy from trotting them out on a trial run.
"But you can't possibly propose this, you crazy bastion of desert hockey!"
Well, there are stats to back it up, specifically the 2022-23 season. According to Natural Stat Trick, the duo actually produced solid numbers during the Stanley Cup season.
Stats | TOI | Corsi For% | Fenwick For% | Shots For% | Goals For% | XGF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
William Karlsson and Reilly Smith's output during the 2022-23 season together | 802:25 | 51.46% | 52.17% | 52.96% | 52.94% | 51.46% |
The pair exceeded expectations during the Stanley Cup run, where Smith scored 26 goals and 30 assists. William Karlson had 14 goals and 39 assists that year with two goals and three assists coming on short-handed opportunities.
There are many reasons why this combination works. They control the puck well, they make (and suppress) shots, and they can score. One major concern was getting winger depth for the middle of the lineup, particularly with the Swedish center. Who could handle the responsibility of shooting and seeing the play unfold? It wasn't Alexander Holtz scoring only three goals and eight assists.
The pair has more in common than fans realize
Both Karlsson and Smith are hard-working forwards that thrive in all three zones. They're adaptable and play in any given situation, making them reliable forces for the Vegas Golden Knights. They also complement each other well, with Karlsson being the facilitator and Smtih being the goal-scorer.
When the Swedish forward returns, Cassidy shouldn't shy from putting the "Original Misfits" together. Nostalgia will be at the forefront of everyone's mind, envisioning the glory days of 2017-18 (even later!). They can hear Dave Goucher screaming at the top of his lungs, watching the Toronto native get a feed from his friend.
But this time, it goes beyond sheer chemistry. It's about putting the best lineup forward. Sure, there will be experimentation as the season drags on. Fans might see the former Ranger get time with Jack Eichel or Mark Stone. However, you want players familiar with your system and what you're implementing. That shouldn't be a problem with a particular "Misfit" making his return.