Sat Mar 08 03:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Golden Knights Welcome Back Smith, Part Ways with Brisson in Trade Deadline Deal
**Las Vegas, NV** – The Vegas Golden Knights have acquired veteran forward Reilly Smith from the New York Rangers, reuniting with a player instrumental in their 2023 Stanley Cup victory. In exchange, the Knights sent prospect Brendan Brisson and a third-round draft pick (originally from San Jose) to New York. The Rangers are retaining 50% of Smith’s $3.75 million cap hit.
Smith, a 33-year-old winger, spent six seasons in Vegas before being traded to Pittsburgh last summer and subsequently to the Rangers. He brings valuable scoring depth to a Golden Knights team currently third in the Western Conference and aiming for a deep playoff run. This season with the Rangers, Smith tallied 10 goals and 29 points in 58 games.
The trade represents a shift in strategy for Vegas, who parted ways with Brisson, a 2020 first-round pick, after he struggled to find consistent NHL success. The Rangers hope a fresh start in their AHL system will unlock Brisson’s potential. This marks another instance of the Golden Knights trading away a high draft pick; since their inaugural season, they’ve moved all but one of their first-round selections.
The Rangers immediately flipped the acquired third-round pick to the Vancouver Canucks for defenseman Carson Soucy. Smith’s pending unrestricted free agent status made him a desirable trade asset for the Rangers, who had sat him for their last three games in anticipation of a move. The trade deadline is Friday at 3 p.m. ET.
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