NHL Insider shockingly links New York Rangers veteran to top Atlantic Stanley Cup Contender
Photo credit: NHL.com
NHL insider shockingly links New York Rangers veteran forward to a unexpected Canadian Stanley Cup contender team as the NHL Trade Deadline is just 72 hours away.
By now it's no surprise that New York Rangers veteran forward Reilly Smith will be traded, as he has been held out of the Rangers two last games for «roster management» basically stating that a trade in imminent.
NHL insider Frank Seravalli feels that if any team were to pursue Smith, the Maple Leafs would make the most sense. Which is surprising considering Smith submitted an 8-team NTC and is expected to have Canadian teams listed.
«New York held out Smith for trade-related protection over the weekend, their trade of Ryan Lindgren to Colorado indicating that they're not willing to pass up assets for their UFAs in this off-the-rails season,» Seravalli said. «Smith is a proven playoff performer - a 2023 Stanley Cup winner and critical cog in two trips to the Final with Vegas.»
"The Penguins have already retained on Smith, but the Rangers can chop him in half one more time. It would make a lot of sense for the Maple Leafs to bring him home to Toronto and add a little Cup pedigree to their room and third line. But they have to get a center first.»
This season, the 33-year-old has tallied 10 goals, 19 assists for a total of 29 points in 58 games while averaging 15:36 minutes. Not his most productive season, but still proving he's a solid bottom-six two-way forward.
For a team like the Maple Leafs that has been unable to get over the hump in the playoffs, they can use Smith's veteran presence.
However, only time will tell where Reilly Smith will end up as Chris Drury is expected to make some intriguing moves before Friday March 7th, the NHL Trade Deadline.
Previously on NYRangersInsider
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