The Vegas Golden Knights are reuniting with a familiar face, acquiring forward Reilly Smith from the New York Rangers on Thursday in exchange for prospect Brendan Brisson and a third-round draft choice.
New York is also retaining 50% of Smith’s $3.75 million cap hit in the transaction, sources confirmed to ESPN. The pick going to the Rangers was originally from San Jose.
Smith previously played for Vegas from 2017-2023 and was part of the Stanley Cup championship team in 2023. He was traded that summer to the Pittsburgh Penguins and then to the Rangers the following offseason.
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The 33-year-old winger has had a productive year with the Rangers, collecting 10 goals and 29 points in 58 games. He is in the final season of his contract that includes an eight-team, no-trade list. That pending UFA status made Smith an obvious trade candidate, and New York had held him out of its past three games as asset management.
Smith now provides Vegas with needed scoring depth as the Golden Knights — sitting third overall in the Western Conference — eye a long playoff run ahead.
He has played for the Dallas Stars (2011-13), Boston Bruins (2013-15), Florida Panthers (2015-17), Golden Knights (2017-23), Penguins and Rangers. In 898 career games, Smith has 542 points (223 goals, 319 assists).
Vegas flipped Brisson to New York after the forward prospect failed to thrive for the franchise after being drafted 29th overall in 2020. He appeared in 24 NHL games with two goals and eight points.
The Rangers will give Brisson, 23, a fresh start to tap into his full potential, starting with their American Hockey League affiliate in Hartford.
The move also marks the most recent time Vegas has parted ways with a high draft selection. Since their inaugural 2017 season, the Golden Knights have traded all but one of their first-round draft choices or the pick itself.
The NHL trade deadline is 3 p.m. ET Friday.
Field Level Media contributed to this report.
