Reilly Smith, one of the Vegas Golden Knights' original players from their first season, is set to continue his journey with the team. According to sources, Smith has inked a one-year contract to remain in Sin City, a deal worth $2 million that includes a full no-trade clause. This contractual update was first noted in reports by News3LV and further detailed by NBC Sports.
A confirmed person with knowledge of the deal shared that the official team announcement has yet to be made public. Smith, 34, has notably contributed to the Golden Knights, especially during his first tenure that saw the team clinch the Stanley Cup championship in 2023. Post-championship, he was traded away, first to Pittsburgh and then to the New York Rangers, only to quickly find his way back to Vegas just this past March. Smith appears to fully commit to bolstering the team's performance for another year.
During his interim away from the Golden Knights, Smith was not inactive by any means. His stint with the Rangers added stellar statistical evidence of his consistent performance on the ice. He returns to Vegas saddled with an impressive record of 255 goals and 381 assists over his career, accounting for 636 points in the tally of his NHL regular-season and playoff games, as highlighted by NBC Sports.
More than just a roster addition, Smith's re-signing could strategically free up cap space for the Golden Knights front office to navigate the free agency waters, which are set to open up on July 1. With big names like Mitch Marner and Brad Marchand soon available, and potential long-term injured reserve for defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, General Manager Kelly McCrimmon has the potential to aggressively continue to enhance the team's lineup. Keeping a veteran like Smith in the mix gives Vegas not only depth but experience to draw upon, as they look fully to strengthen their squad for the next season.
Smith's impact on the team is clear even in the limited games since his return, racking up three goals and 11 assists in 21 regular-season outings, and contributing sizably in the postseason as well.
