It looks as though the tenure of 2023 Stanley Cup champion Reilly Smith with the Pittsburgh Penguins could be coming to a close after just one season.
Smith, who was traded from the Vegas Golden Knights to the Penguins last offseason for a 2024 third-round pick, found himself in trade rumors during the regular season, though no deal ultimately materialized. And with the summer now in full swing for Pittsburgh, they could be looking to move on.
According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, Smith is one of 25 players who are likely to be on the move at some point during the summer months:
"The Penguins tried to move Smith during the season and GM Kyle Dubas will continue to explore options this off-season," he wrote. "Smith seems to prefer a move and now playing on an expiring deal, he may be easier to move."
Pagnotta then listed the Golden Knights as a potential landing spot for Smith, along with the Los Angeles Kings, Colorado Avalanche, and the Utah Hockey Club.
A return to Vegas could prove intriguing for Smith, though it could come at the cost of another one of the original "Misfits" in pending free-agent forward Jonathan Marchessault.
The 33-year-old scored 13 goals with 27 assists in his first year with the Penguins while playing in 76 games. In 840 games spent with the Dallas Stars, Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers, Golden Knights and Penguins, Smith has tallied a total of 213 goals and 300 assists, while also adding 26 goals and 53 assists in 106 career postseason games.
He has one year remaining on his current deal that carries an AAV of $5 million.
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