Reilly Smith trade details: Golden Knights send one of the original Misfits to Penguins

Bryan Murphy

Reilly Smith trade details: Golden Knights send one of the original Misfits to Penguins image

Reilly Smith's last on-ice memory as a member of the Golden Knights will be the one where he hoisted the Stanley Cup. 

The Penguins acquired the veteran winger in a trade with the Stanley Cup champions, sending a future draft pick to Vegas in return. 

Smith, 32, was one of the original Misfits for Vegas, traded to the Golden Knights ahead of the 2017 expansion draft. He spent the last six seasons with the organization, culminating in a championship win earlier this month. 

He skated in 78 games for Vegas during the regular season, posting 26 goals and 56 assists. He added 14 points in 22 games during the Golden Knights' run to the title. 

MORE: What time is the 2023 NHL Draft?

The Sporting News has the full details of the Smith deal to Pittsburgh. 

Reilly Smith trade details

  • Penguins receive: F Reilly Smith
  • Golden Knights receive: 2024 third-round pick

Smith had been viewed as a potential casualty in Vegas for a couple of seasons now after re-signing on a three-year, $15 million deal. The Golden Knights finally cut ties with him this summer, but not before he helped deliver the franchise its first championship. 

For the Penguins, they are getting an offensive winger who can create chances on offense. Defense isn't his strong suit, but he's more than capable to help out in the transition game. With the team's lack of depth at wing, Smith will certainly be an option to flank the wing of either Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin. 

The cost was cheap as well. With the Golden Knights tight against the cap, a third-round pick is a low return, but it does help the club dump cap space that can be utilized elsewhere. It certainly is not the first time we've seen a trade involving Vegas where the return is low for a quality player, (i.e. Max Pacioretty, Marc-Andre Fleury). 

Reilly Smith contract details

Smith is signed for another two seasons. His current contract carries a cap hit of $5 million per year. 

He will be an unrestricted free agent in 2025. 

Year AAV
2023-24 $5,000,000
2024-25 $5,000,000

Bryan Murphy

Bryan Murphy Photo

Bryan Murphy joined The Sporting News in 2022 as the NHL/Canada content producer. Previously he worked for NBC Sports on their national news desk reporting on breaking news for the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL, in addition to covering the 2020 and 2022 Olympic Games. A graduate of Quinnipiac University, he spent time in college as a beat reporter covering the men’s ice hockey team.