Reilly Smith desperately needs to step up tonight as he faces a diminishing role in the lineup
The New York Rangers paid a 2nd round pick, and a 5th round pick for goal-scorer Reilly Smith. Since he's arrived in New York this season, he's been another one of the team's disappointing forwards.
He's sat as a healthy scratch, as Peter Laviolette wants to see more out of Smith, who in the past has crossed the 60-point mark in Vegas.
Smith sat out during a tumultuous game against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday, and tonight he will have to gain Laviolette's trust again.
He has been placed in the lineup with forwards Chris Kreider, and Mika Zibanejad tonight, two players the forward has chemistry with.
The Rangers made the move to acquire Smith assuming he'd be a great fixture in the team's top six. But he's yet to improve to a point that makes the Rangers believe the investment has been worth it.
Smith's role has slowly diminished over the course of this season. Laviolette has made it clear that Smith's spot in the lineup is not solidified and during Monday's practice, Will Cuylle officially took Smith's spot on the second power play unit. With a diminished role,Smith is on the brink as Will Cuylletakes his power-play spot on the 2nd unit. A situation no top-six forward should ever hope to be in.
Through 22 games, the 33-year-old has recorded three goals, nine assists and 12 points while averaging 15:28 minutes per game. While these stats don't look all that bad at first glance, it's been clear when watching Smith that he could certainly play at a higher level.
If Smith fails to produce to expectations could they jettison themselves from the continued experiment on the top-six?
With Smith's age and the way he is producing, it doesn't seem like the New York Rangers will be able to get much for him, but they may be able to package him with one of Jacob Trouba and or Chris Kreider, as they have both been listed by the team as trade potentials. Brett Berard has found a way to produce in the lineup and has given the veterans in the lineup some competition.
Either way, Smith will have to find a way to stay relevant on a Rangers third-line, that used to be a top-line fixture.
| POLL |
Should GM Chris Drury of the New York Rangers find a trade partner for Reilly Smith? |
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Previously on NYRangersInsider
