The last time Reilly Smith donned a Golden Knights jersey, he was strolling around the ice at T-Mobile Arena with the Stanley Cup hoisted above his head on June 13, 2023. Smith scored the Cup-clinching goal that night, paraded the trophy down the Las Vegas Strip, and was traded away shortly after as a salary cap casualty.
Following Thursday’s trade from New York to Vegas, he’ll be trying to help the Golden Knights do it again.
Vegas sent 2020 first-round pick Brendan Brisson and a third-round pick in 2025 to the Rangers in exchange for Smith. New York retained half of Smith’s cap hit in the deal, meaning he’ll only count $937,500 toward the cap for the Golden Knights.
It’s a sentimental homecoming for Smith, his teammates and fans across the Las Vegas Valley. The 33-year-old winger has played the fifth-most games (399) and scored the third-most goals (124) in franchise history. He’s one of the original “Golden Misfits,” acquired from Florida during the 2017 expansion draft.
Smith has played for six different NHL teams, but over his six years with the Golden Knights he regularly referred to Las Vegas as home for he and his family. He started an annual celebrity softball game that has since raised more than $850,000 for local charities.
From a vibes standpoint, this trade is perfection. There may not be a (reasonably available) player in the league who the Golden Knights would rather see walking through those dressing room doors than the former alternate captain who helped them win a Cup. Even when removing the emotion, the trade makes a lot of sense for Vegas.
Read more below for why Vegas brought back a franchise legend.
Why the Golden Knights brought Reilly Smith back to Vegas
