Rangers Trade Reilly Smith to Golden Knights Ahead of NHL Deadline

New York acquires a third-round pick and prospect Brendan Brisson while retaining half of Smith's salary cap hit.

The Rangers traded forward Reilly Smith to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for a 2025 third-round draft pick and prospect Brendan Brisson.
New York retained 50% of Smith's $3.75 million cap hit to facilitate the deal, marking Smith's return to Vegas, where he played for six seasons and won a Stanley Cup in 2023.
Brisson, a 23-year-old forward and 2020 first-round pick, will report to the Rangers' AHL affiliate in Hartford after struggling in the Golden Knights' system this season.
This move continues the Rangers' strategy of trading pending unrestricted free agents, including earlier deals involving Ryan Lindgren and Jimmy Vesey to Colorado.
The Rangers used the third-round pick from the Smith trade to acquire defenseman Carson Soucy from Vancouver, bolstering their blue line with a player under contract through next season.