Peter Laviolette shockingly confirms veteran forward is on the move following recent trade speculation

The New York Rangers will be taking on the New York Islanders tonight, as the Rangers should be able to extinguish the dumpster fire that is the Isles.

However, that will have to come at a cost as forward Reilly Smith will be held out of the lineup tonight by the Rangers.

To what purpose? It is for roster management according to The Athletic's Peter Baugh.

This suggests that GM Chris Drury has a landing spot for Smith before the trade deadline.

Smith is a pending UFA who has had a disappointing season in New York. He was originally acquired in a trade from the rival Pittsburgh Penguins for two picks, we're sure Chris Drury wishes he could get back.

Now, the team is looking to move the third-line winger who has regressed in New York. It seems to be an issue with the entire team who has failed to live up to expectations after attaining a President's Trophy last season.

In 58 games the forward has scored only 29 points (10 G, 19 A) and hasn't produced at an elite level since his time in Vegas.

To say that GM Chris Drury overpaid for Smith might be an understatement, but we're just hoping Drury can turn this trade loss, into a win in some way.

The Rangers aim to look completely different come April.