Insider reveals Reilly Smith's Future with the Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas made a splashy move when he brought Stanley Cup champion Reilly Smith to the Pittsburgh Penguins, trading a third-round pick to the Vegas Golden Knights. At first, it seemed like a steal, with Smith fitting right in and clicking with Evgeni Malkin early in the 2023-24 season.

Yet, as the season wore on, things started to unravel. Smith's performance took a nosedive, and that chemistry with Malkin disappeared. Reports began surfacing that Smith wasn't going to work out with the Penguins.

When the trade deadline buzz started swirling, Smith's name was in the rumor mill, maybe more than Jake Guentzel's, who eventually went to the Carolina Hurricanes. While the Penguins ultimately held onto Smith and dealt Guentzel instead, it's not a stretch to think Smith could be back on the trading block this summer.

According to Josh Yohe over at The Athletic, Smith seems like the most likely candidate for a move:



Smith came to Pittsburgh with high hopes, expected to be a more consistent version of Jason Zucker. Yet that consistency just didn't stick around. Despite Dubas backing him in a post-season presser, it's looking like Smith might not get another shot in Pittsburgh. Teams were sniffing around at the deadline, and they might still be interested.


With just one year left on his $5 million contract, Smith's deal looks attractive for teams hunting for a veteran presence. The Penguins would be wise to explore their options and maximize Smith's potential trade value.