Pittsburgh Penguins acquire Reilly Smith in exchange for 2024 pick

This week, we anticipated that the Pens would undergo some roster changes before or during the 2023 NHL Draft. True to expectations, the Pens have traded their 2024 third-round pick to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for forward Reilly Smith.

Throughout the 2022-23 NHL season, it is noteworthy to mention that Reilly Smith, playing for the Stanley Cup Champion Vegas Golden Knights, exhibited his play in a total of 78 games. His extensive presence on the ice allowed him to accumulate an impressive tally of 56 points. Within this remarkable achievement. Smith’s exceptional play involved scoring 26 goals and supporting his teammates with 30 assists. Clearly, these statistics demonstrate the valuable impact he had on the team’s offensive capabilities.

Why trading for Reilly Smith makes sense for the Pens

In this offseason, you knew the team wanted to bolster its roster and support its aging core by acquiring forward Reilly Smith from the Vegas Golden Knights. This strategic move aligns perfectly with General Manager Kyle Dubas’s intentions of strengthening the Penguins’ bottom six. It is worth noting that the addition of Smith has the potential to fill the void on Evgeni Malkin’s line that impending free agent Jason Zucker may not be returning to Pittsburgh.

Comparing Zucker, aged 31 and earning $5.5 million, with Smith, aged 32 and signed for two more seasons at $5 million per year, it becomes apparent that the Penguins have acquired a player of similar caliber while reducing their financial commitment slightly.

When considering Zucker’s desire for a longer-term contract and a higher salary, Smith emerges as an attractive option. Moreover, Smith’s proficiency as a natural left wing addresses a pressing need for the Penguins, making him a valuable asset to the team. Additionally, the fact that Pittsburgh only had to surrender a third-round pick in next season’s draft further solidifies the rationale behind this trade.

Acknowledging the potential letdown among Penguins fans due to the improbable return of Zucker in this trade, it is a decision that can be justified. Although new young talent may not be joining the team, they are bringing on board a forward who holds similar statistics and remains contracted.

Additionally, they are adding to their ranks by incorporating a proven champion. Thus, this maneuver perfectly aligns with their ambitions to regroup for the NHL Playoffs in 2023, demonstrating its strategic nature for shaping future success for the team.

Next up, we see what the Pens do in the NHL Draft tonight, which should prove to be very interesting.

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With the 14th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, the Pittsburgh Penguins have selected Brayden Yager from the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League (WHL)

About Brayden Yager

While there’s no doubt that Brayden Yager was one of the top players available in the 2023 NHL Draft, it’s rare for there to be so much uncertainty surrounding a player of his caliber. Now, no one is saying that he shouldn’t have been selected in Round 1, but he’s been as highly rated as seventh overall by some outlets, and as low as 30th by others. However, ratings aren’t important when it comes to draft day. Clearly, the Penguins valued Yager highly, which made him an easy selection.

On the ice, Yager is a bit of a jack-of-all-trades, but master of none. He has a strong shot but is far from the best of the class. He has solid offensive instincts that allow him to set up scoring chances but isn’t a dominant playmaker that will drive an offense on his own. He’s not the strongest skater, but he has a non-stop motor that allows him to make space on the ice to create scoring chances.

So, all this means is that Yager still needs time to develop. The toolkit is there for a dominant skater at all ends of the ice, but if he is able to hone his skills in one or two areas, he could blossom into a top-six centerman who can chip in 30 goals each season while playing a strong defensive game as well.

THW Prospect Profile Excerpt

“The thing that jumps out at you about Yager’s game is his shot and his willingness to use it. He’s got a quick release and hits his target with deadly accuracy. He has 60 goals over his last two seasons in the Western Hockey League (WHL) and could probably have a lot more if he was asked to adopt a shoot-first mentality. His shot does not rival the best goal-scorers in the world, but it is dangerous enough that he could develop into a 30 goal-scorer in the NHL at his peak.

“Yager’s compete level is not a concern as he is always trying to contribute however he can. This will be key for him moving forward, especially if his offensive abilities do not fully translate at the NHL level. To be a top-six center in the NHL, a player has to be trusted to play a good chunk of minutes while also producing in that time on ice. This particular prospect should have no problem earning the trust of every coach he plays for, but it remains to be seen if he can score against the best goalies in the world. With playmaking not being a trademark of his game, his compete level will be what earns him a spot in the NHL, regardless of whether it’s in a top six or bottom six spot…”

Full player profile can be found here.

How This Affects the Penguins’ Plans

In the short term, Pittsburgh selected Yager likely understanding that he won’t be a plug-and-play forward. He will need time to develop his game before he will be able to take on the NHL, but that is to be expected for a player at this point in the draft.

Over the next few seasons, Yager will need to take on more ice time in the WHL and eventually the American Hockey League (AHL) in order to round out his game. If things go well, by the 2024-25 season he could be ready to play in a bottom-six role for the Penguins, but more than likely he will need until 2025-26 before making his NHL debut.

Either way, as long as the Penguins take their time with Yager, they should have a nightly NHL starter with this pick. While his ceiling is likely a second-line centerman, there’s nothing wrong with him developing into a bottom-six forward who can chip in on the scoresheet and play a strong defensive game either.