**Rangers’ New Addition ‘Dynamic,’ Chris Kreider Raves**
At the annual Shoulder Check Showcase, an event dedicated to mental health and charity hockey, Chris Kreider expressed his enthusiasm for the New York Rangers’ recent acquisition of Reilly Smith.
Although the Rangers couldn’t land one of the high-profile free-agent forwards due to salary cap constraints, they managed to trade a second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft and a conditional fifth-round pick in 2025 to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Smith, who tallied 40 points in 76 games last season.
Kreider highlighted several reasons why Smith is a valuable addition to the team. “He’s incredibly smart,” Kreider said. “Having played against him for a long time and watched him in Vegas, he can do everything. He’s effective on the power play, a very good penalty killer, and just extremely intelligent and crafty. He’s a strong skater with a lot of skill. He’s dynamic and a really good player.”
Smith is expected to be a strong candidate for the right wing position on a line with Kreider and Mika Zibanejad during training camp. This spot has been a challenge for the Rangers, with various players like Kaapo Kakko, Blake Wheeler, Jimmy Vesey, Filip Chytil, and Alex Wennberg all trying to fill the role last season.
This season, Chytil will likely center the third line with Kakko as his linemate, Vesey is expected to be a bottom-six player, and Wheeler and Wennberg are no longer with the team.
Smith, who is the younger brother of former Rangers defenseman Brendan Smith, brings added excitement to the team. “I know him through Brendan,” Kreider explained. “I’ve met him a few times and gotten close with their family. Personally, I’m very excited to play with Reilly. He’s a tremendous hockey player and definitely makes the team better immediately.”
