There were three on-ice sessions to kick off New York Rangers training camp on Thursday. The second one featured the varsity, if you will. The players most likely to be on — or competing for a spot on — the opening-night roster.
Newcomer Reilly Smith not only practiced with that group, but the 2023 Stanley Cup champion with the Vegas Golden Knights found himself playing right wing on a line with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider.
Not a bad way to start with his new team, after being traded to the Rangers by the Pittsburgh Penguins back on July 1.
“They’re two unbelievable players,” Smith said after practice. “Their body of work over their careers speaks for itself. … If it’s those two guys, or anyone else, I’m going to try my best to complement their game.”
The Rangers couldn’t afford to land a high-priced star right wing to play with Zibanejad and Kreider in the offseason. So, general manager Chris Drury pivoted and acquired Smith, with Pittsburgh picking up $1.25 million of his $5 million salary.
The 33-year-old scored the Cup-winning goal against the Florida Panthers two years ago, and has five 20-goal seasons on his resume, including 26 in 2022-23. However, last season his point total dropped from 56 to 40 and his goals fell to 13 from 26 after he was traded to the Penguins.
Though skating in a prime role on Day 1 of camp, Smith is prepared for whatever the Rangers ask him to do this season.
“I think my role is contingent on how I play,” Smith explained. “It can be ever expanding with what I can bring to the table.”
That goes in line with what coach Peter Laviolette said about Smith’s role Wednesday.
“He’ll get a look there (on the top line),” Laviolette told reporters. “But it’s training camp, and I don’t want to box out things or box out people on Day 1. “We’ll practice, we’ll play exhibition games, we’ll scrimmage and start the season, and I think we’ll get to the point where we can get some continuity. That’s what I was trying to accomplish last year – trying to find the right fits and right pieces. There will be some looks for (Smith) in different positions.”
Reilly Smith senses ‘buzz’ about Rangers this season
Kaapo Kakko and Brennan Othmann could be among those who get a chance to play with Zibanejad and Kreider during camp and the preseason. But it appears Smith is the frontrunner to start the season on that line.
The 33-year-old’s track record and steady hand could be a plus trying to find that elusive chemistry with 93 and 20, who’ve cycled through a huge list of right wings the past three seasons. In 2023-24 alone, they played with Blake Wheeler, Jimmy Vesey, Jack Roslovic, Alex Wennberg, Filip Chytil and Kakko, among others.
“Obviously, ‘Kreids’ and Mika are two mainstays, I’ve watched their games a lot,” Smith said, adding he would try and “mesh” with whomever his linemates are this season.
No matter his role, Smith said he’s looking forward to playing for a serious Stanley Cup contender again.
“The opportunity for me to join a team like this, the success they had last year, it’s exciting for me,” he explained. “There’s a lot of buzz I think in this locker room, and probably in the city, because of what they did last year.”
What the Rangers did last season was win the Presidents’ Trophy, set franchise records for wins (55) and points (114), and reach the Eastern Conference Final for the second time in three years.
Now with the help of a recent Stanley Cup champion, the Rangers will try to win their first title since 1994.
