A new season means some new faces. While team president and general manager Chris Drury couldn’t make too many moves over summer due to the salary cap, he was able to add a quality player. In acquiring Reilly Smith from the Penguins in exchange for a 2027 second round pick and a fifth in 2025, Drury was able to get a proven top nine forward who should help improve the roster.

The 33-year-old right wing is a solid veteran who can play in all three zones. Best known for his time in Vegas where he helped lead the Golden Knights win a Stanley Cup, Smith is coming off a down season with the Pens. After posting four goals and 10 assists for 14 points in the 2023 postseason, he became a cap casualty – getting dealt to Pittsburgh for a 2024 third round pick. It just didn’t work out. Smith still finished with 13 goals, 27 assists, and 40 points in 76 games. However, his goals dropped from 26 to 13.

Smith to Play Key Role

It’s no secret that the top line struggled last season. Despite plenty of success that included winning the Presidents’ Trophy and coming within two games of reaching the Stanley Cup Finals, the Rangers never got consistent production from Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider at even strength. When the Panthers focused on shutting down Artemi Panarin last spring, that spelled doom. Neither player was able to produce at the level needed to advance.

Rangers coach Peter Laviolette tried different combinations. After Jack Roslovic fizzled against the Cats, he mixed and matched. Even Filip Chytil was used. Nothing materialized. With Kaapo Kakko still unable to establish himself on the first line, the Blueshirts decided to get Smith from the Penguins. While he isn’t going to blow anyone away, he knows how to play the game. A heady player who is a good complement on a scoring line, Smith will play a key role on Broadway.

At the start of training camp, Laviolette had Smith skating with Zibanejad and Kreider in practice. If they can find early chemistry, that should bode well. A good player at even strength who also excels defensively, Smith can be that steady presence for that line.

Good Shorthanded

Over his 13-year NHL career, Smith is a good shorthanded player. He’ll be featured on the penalty kill. An area he’s quite familiar with. It was with Vegas that he did his best work.

In six seasons as a Golden Knight, he scored 12 shorthanded goals. That included four in 2022-23, which tied him with Kreider for the second most in the league that season. The Rangers had a strong penalty killing unit in 2023-24. After subtracting key penalty killer Barclay Goodrow, they added a quality defensive forward in Smith, who can help replace what Goodrow brought shorthanded. He could find himself paired up with Vincent Trocheck while down a man.

Something To Prove

Entering his first year as a Blueshirt, Smith has something to prove. He wants to erase last season. Getting traded inside the division should serve as a motivator. The Rangers will see the Penguins on Opening Night. They’ll visit the Steel City on Oct. 9. Wouldn’t it be a great way to start if Smith scored against his former team?

In 2024-25, they’ll face the Pens four times. That includes Sidney Crosby paying a visit to Madison Square Garden on Dec. 6. The season series concludes with two big matchups in February. The Rangers will host the Penguins on Feb. 7. They’ll visit Pittsburgh on Feb. 23. Those dates are probably circled on Smith’s calendar.

One other factor is that Smith is in the final year of his contract. He is set to earn $5 million. In parting with two draft picks, the Rangers did it with the knowledge that the Penguins would pick up part of the remaining year. The cap charge is only $3.75 million. They saved $1.25 million. A big help for a team that spends to the ceiling.

Any time a player is playing for a contract, it usually can give them a boost. Smith knows that he has a good opportunity in the Big Apple. There’s a lot riding on the line. For the Blueshirts, it’s one last kick at the can with the current group. There’s a lot of pressure to end a Cup drought that’s lasted 30 years. For Smith, it’s the expectations. He needs to have a good season. His future depends on it. That’s why it has the potential to work out.

Chytil Reunited with Kakko

As expected, the pratice lines included a familiar duo. Chytil and Kakko together. It was during the 2022 playoffs that they worked well along with Alexis Lafreniere. The Kid Line was a factor in the Rangers’ run to the Conference Finals. Since then, Lafreniere has graduated to play with Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck. He produced a career best season with 28 goals and 29 assists for 57 points.

Kakko needs a good season. He is on a one-year deal. It’s now or never for the former 2019 second overall pick. Having a player he knows well should benefit him. Chytil possesses the game-breaking speed. He and Kakko are effective on the forecheck. They’re likely to be penciled in with the gritty Will Cuylle to form a good third line. Health will play a role. They need both Chytil and Kakko to avoid the injury bug. How that line performs will be a key to the season.

Preseason Action in Boston

Believe it or not, the Rangers play their first preason game tomorrow in Boston against the Bruins. It’ll be a chance for the coaches to get a first look at some players. Several won’t be with the big club when the season starts. They’ll looking to make a good first impression.

Game time is 5 EST. MSG will air it.