Ladies and gentlemen, a warm welcome to Reilly Smith! Hailing from the hockey hotbed of Mimico, Ontario, this 6’1, 185-pound right-winger is set to light up the ice for the Broadway Blueshirts in the final season of his current contract. At 33 years old, Smith brings a wealth of experience and talent to the Rangers roster, and fans are eager to see what he will bring to the table this year.
A true force on the ice, Smith is known for his powerful and agile skating and lightning-fast shot. His NHL career-best for points came during the 2017-18 season with the Knights, where he notched an impressive 60 points in just 67 games. That same season, he also reached a career-high of 38 assists. More recently, Smith showcased his goal-scoring prowess with 27 goals in 71 games during the 2019-20 season, along with 27 assists.
One area where Smith is sure to make an impact is on the power play. During the 2022-23 campaign with the Knights, he scored six power play goals, tying for second on the team alongside Chandler Stephenson. His ability to find the back of the net with the man advantage will be a valuable asset for the Rangers, who already boasted the third-best power play percentage in the league during the 2023-24 season.
Not only is Smith a scoring threat, but he also brings a deadly accurate shot to the table. Prior to the trade, Smith boasted a 13.6 shooting percentage from mid-range during his time with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2023-24 season, ranking in the league’s 71st percentile. He netted six goals from that range, placing him in the 78th percentile in the league.
Smith’s scoring prowess is undeniable, as evidenced by his Stanley Cup-winning goal with the Knights. Not only was he the first to hoist the cup from captain Mark Stone, but he also became the first player since 2017 to score a cup-clinching goal against his former team. The last player to achieve this feat was Patric Hornqvist for the Pens against the Nashville Predators in 2017. Prior to his time with the Knights, Smith had a successful stint with the Panthers, where he tallied 25 goals and 25 assists to help them clinch a division title.
In addition to his on-ice accomplishments, Smith has also received numerous accolades throughout his career. He was named to the NCAA West First All-American Team in 2012 and the CCHA First All-Star Team in 2011 and 2012, further solidifying his status as a top-tier player in the league. With a resume as impressive as his, it’s clear that Reilly Smith will be a key player to watch for the New York Rangers this season.