The Pittsburgh Penguins anticipated Jason Zucker’s departure to free agency, prompting newly appointed GM Kyle Dubas to swiftly secure his replacement. In came forward Reilly Smith from the Vegas Golden Knights, seemingly the ideal counterpart to Zucker in terms of age, output, and contract likeness. Initially, the trade appeared flawless, with Smith seamlessly integrating into the second line alongside Evgeni Malkin, racking up six goals and 11 points in his first ten games.
However, Smith’s performance took a downturn thereafter, managing only four goals and 11 points in the subsequent 41 games. Such underwhelming output, especially considering his $5 million salary for this season and the next, renders his contract unsustainable. Consequently, the Penguins are urged to prioritize trading him, with several teams expressing interest, possibly facilitated by Dubas’s willingness to retain salary and Smith’s remaining term, making him an attractive asset.
Offloading Smith would alleviate cap constraints for the Penguins while affording him and the team a fresh start. The mismatch in playing styles between Smith and the Penguins, akin to the David Perron scenario, could explain his lackluster performance. Additionally, Smith’s history of inconsistency suggests his struggles may persist. Despite this, a change of scenery could reignite his scoring prowess, potentially benefiting both parties.
In essence, trading Smith presents a mutually beneficial solution: the Penguins mitigate cap concerns and remove an underperforming player, while Smith gains a chance to revitalize his productivity elsewhere.
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