Vegas Golden Knights fans were ecstatic to see Reilly Smith return home last Thursday. Finally, we get to see one of the "Original Misfits" reunite with the team that helped him become a star. The vibes were immaculate (as the kids would say) and the warm, fuzzy feelings returned.
Who knows? Maybe he extends his stay and retires as a Golden Knight. That would be an incredible ending to a sports career in Sin City, capped by marvelous feats. That includes two Stanley Cup Final appearances and a title in 2023. It's an ending that would leave French-Canadians under six feet tall seething.
So far, it's like the 33-year-old never left. He has two assists in four games with his "new-ish" team, including an assist in a 4-0 shutout on Thursday against Columbus. Fans would love to see their beloved "Misfit" winger retire with the team, going out in a blaze of glory.
However, that's not the player being discussed today. You see, Kelly McCrimmon talked about going small at the trade deadline this year. The assets were dried up, leaving the team without many viable options. That's why one player has gelled nicely with his new club, scoring goals and adding more winger depth. The best part? McCrimmon didn't have to give up anything for him. All he needed was a one-year contract worth $1.5 million.
Brandon Saad might be the best Vegas Golden Knights acquisition this season
The Vegas Golden Knights were desperate for winger depth before the trade deadline. They needed someone who could score in front of the net and attack. If it was a veteran forward, that would've been even better. Considering this is an older team with plenty of seasoned stars, they'd have no trouble fitting in with the gang.
Luckily, the St. Louis Blues waived such a guy. His name? Brandon Saad and he's doing well for himself in Las Vegas. He has five goals and three assists in 13 games with his new club, adding a new dynamic with Vegas. Take this sweet backhander he scored on Thursday against the Blue Jackets.
Brandon Saad with a nice little rebound #VegasBorn| @GoldenKnights pic.twitter.com/135loY3Q31
— VegasHockeyFreak (@VGKHockeyFreak) March 13, 2025
Situational hockey is vital for winning key games. You need players in certain positions to come up big when asked. Here, Saad jumps on the rebound to score a top-shelf goal on a backhand. He also had an assist that game, which resulted in a 4-0 shutout in Columbus. For Vegas, being on a 27-goal pace since coming to Sin City should warrant a reward.
The former St. Louis Blues winger might just stick around in Las Vegas
Kelly McCrimmon has been in a generous mood regarding handing out contract extensions. Names such as Shea Theodore, Keegan Kolesar, and Brayden McNabb come to mind. Such players were rewarded for their skills and goal-scoring acumen with new deals, keeping them in Las Vegas for a little bit longer.
That could be where Brandon Saad ends up. The former St. Louis Blues winger is finding a role within Bruce Cassidy's system, crashing the net and finishing plays. It's something that Golden Knights fans were expecting out of Alexander Holtz in 2024-25, only to see him get demoted.
He'll still earn a solid contract whether he re-signs with Vegas or not in the offseason. Who knows? It could be sooner than anticipated. Whatever the case, he's an important piece to the puzzle. After all, you can't win a Stanley Cup with two or more clueless wingers.