PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Penguins have quickly become a prominent player in the trade market. Reports have indicated that the Penguins are listening to offers on several players, and general manager Kyle Dubas said he’s been fielding those calls.
With everyone outside of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and Erik Karlsson on the market, it’s time to wonder who may be on the move out of Pittsburgh before the trade deadline arrives.
Reilly Smith’s name has come up quite a bit in recent weeks. Smith hasn’t been fitting in the Penguins’ lineup and has struggled to look productive on most nights. The possibility of Smith going to market has made a few wonder if former teams of Smith’s might be interested in a reunion.
Jesse Granger of the Athletic tossed the idea of a reunion with the Vegas Golden Knights, but Elliotte Friedman most recently suggested the Florida Panthers.
“What does everyone think of Reilly Smith and Florida?” Friedman asked in his written 32 Thoughts blog.
That’s all Friedman had to say on the situation, but it certainly should catch everyone’s attention. The Penguins are likely selling, and the Panthers are going for it as one of the top teams in the NHL.
Before heading to Vegas, Smith played a pair of seasons with the Panthers and recorded 40 goals and 47 assists for 87 total points. Despite quality production in 162 games, the Panthers left Smith available for Vegas to scoop up in the 2017 Expansion Draft.
From then on, Smith became an integral part of the Golden Knights organization. He was a key in finding their way to the Stanley Cup Final in their first year in existence, then winning the thing last season.
Smith in Pittsburgh hasn’t worked out, and a breakup seems necessary. In 47 games with the Penguins, Smith scored 10 goals and 13 assists for 23 total points—only two goals in the last 17 games.
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