Reilly Smith Not Shy About Expressing Desire To Remain A Golden Knight

At the trade deadline, the Golden Knights needed a winger who could score goals, play in all situations, and fit into the lineup quickly and seamlessly. They didn’t have to look hard for the player who would fit that role perfectly.

Who better than the 5th leading scorer in franchise history, one of five players to dress for more than 400 games as a Golden Knight, and one-half of the best penalty killing duo in the league since 2017?

The transition and fit is completely seamless…it’s the ideal fit for what we’re trying to do -Kelly McCrimmon at 2025 Trade Deadline

When the Golden Knights added Reilly Smith, he instantly transformed back into the player who was traded weeks after winning the Stanley Cup in 2023. After a year and a half of lackluster play in Pittsburgh and New York, Smith hopped back alongside William Karlsson and took off once again in Vegas.

It may be the structure, it may be the familiarity of the players, but I felt like there’s predictability in my game here that helps me play faster. Yeah, I mean I don’t have the the exact perfect answer for (why I play better here), I think it’s probably a combination of a lot of different things but I do think it brings a better brand of hockey out of me. I don’t think the last two years have been kind of like the trajectory I wanted my game to go. But coming back here, I felt like I was able to get my footing pretty quickly and feel good about my game again. -Reilly Smith

Smith posted 11 points in 21 regular season games with the Golden Knights. He, along with William Karlsson, helped VGK’s penalty kill turn into a weapon down the stretch and into the postseason, and he scored the biggest goal of the playoffs with 0.4 seconds left in regulation against Edmonton.

We were very excited to have him back and being put together on the same line again. It didn’t work right away but after a while we found our game and found our groove again and I think the chemistry came back. -William Karlsson

Now, Smith’s contract is set to expire on July 1st, and he’s been quite upfront about what he wants to happen next.

If there’s an opportunity to stay here, that’d be great. I think I play well for this team. I think it’s probably been the best hockey that I’ve played through my career has been wearing this jersey. It’s a fun group to be a part of. It’s a fun place to call home. My family loves it here so if there’s a way to make it work that’d be great I’d definitely be in favor for that. But at the end of the day, it’s a business and we’ll figure it out piece. I probably know as little as you do right now (about my contract negotiations), so I’ll take it one day at a time, but if there is the opportunity to stay here, I’d love to do that. -Smith

Smith made $5 million per season on his last contract. AFP Analytics projects him to receive slightly less on his next deal, along with much less term. Smith wants to remain in Vegas, the Golden Knights likely want him to remain in Vegas, but the hockey business doesn’t always allow everyone to get what they want. Let’s see if they can make it work.