Reilly Smith Is the Key to the New York Rangers Success Early in the 2024-25 Campaign
Many neutrals have forgotten about Reilly Smith and how he ended up in New York. The former Pittsburgh Penguin will return to PPG Paints Arena tonight for the season opener, and he will be looking to leave his mark on a team that thought he was not good enough for them. I also believe he is the most significant player to watch tonight for the New York Rangers as he looks to reignite that top line with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider.
Smith was traded to the New York Rangers for a conditional 5th-round pick in 2025 and a 2nd in 2027. That's nothing to be ashamed of as a player. However, Pittsburgh will be paying him 25% of the money he earns to play against them tonight, which annoys players. That organization thought he was such a negative, that it is better to pay 25% of his cap hit to play against them. It's one way to light a major fire in the belly of a veteran player.
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One of the original Golden Misfits in Las Vegas, Smith is a Stanley Cup Champion. He's experienced almost everything in hockey, and he's now looking to rebound from a down year in the Steel City to what he was as a member of the Vegas Golden Knights. Smith "only" had 13 goals and 27 assists for 40 points in 73 games last year. That's down from 26 goals and 30 assists in his final year in Vegas. New York is hoping this regression is reversible.
If they can get Smith back to the brink of 30 goals, this Rangers roster will be feared across the league. However, aging veterans haven't worked out in the last few seasons. Blake Wheeler was an experiment the Rangers tried last year, and no one wants to acknowledge that now. It went poorly. If Smith will avoid the same fate, he needs to start well. Even if he isn't on the scoreboard, create, be solid defensively, and be noticeable in a good way is a great way to endear yourself to this fanbase.
In the situation, Smith shows signs of being what he was as a Golden Knight; the Rangers will be comfortable. If he is what he was in Pittsburgh, that hole in the top six still needs to be addressed. New York is the brightest light in the league, and the pressure will be immense on the 33-year-old, but that's why he makes all that money. He is the Ranger to watch, especially in the early parts of the season.