Florida Panthers: Assessing the loss of Reilly Smith

After two years with the Florida Panthers, Reilly Smith was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights at the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft. Florida will ultimately miss his scoring presence.

Back in 2015, the Panthers acquired Reilly Smith in exchange for big forward Jimmy Hayes. Smith quickly became a staple on Florida’s second line. With a career best 25 goals in his first year in Sunrise, his scoring impact became apparent quickly. However, although still an important part of the team, his production dropped sharply during the 2016-17 campaign.

In hindsight, the Panthers still won the 2015 trade. Hayes only managed to score 2 goals last year (with 13 the year before); compared to 15 and 25 for Smith. Nevertheless, Reilly’s numbers were going in the wrong direction and his 5-year, 25 million dollar contract put him on Florida’s trade block. This offseason he was traded to the Golden Knights in a move designed solely to free up cap space.

While the reasons for the move were understandable, the timing was very unfortunate. This offseason also saw the departure of forwards Jonathan Marchessault, Jaromir Jagr, Jussi Jokinen, Shawn Thornton and Thomas Vanek. Even if the contract dump would make sense in a normal year, it just added to an already tumultuous summer for Florida.

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The one thing the move did for the Panthers – and perhaps this was the intent – was that it opened up a spot on the second line (for a young prospect). The Panthers might elect to give a young prospect the valuable experience of playing with Vincent Trocheck and likely Radim Vrbata.

It could work out very well for the Panthers if the prospect gives them some production at a much cheaper cost than Smith would have. However, Smith had five years of NHL experience under his belt. Asking a rookie to replace him would be a pretty large risk/task. But that scenario is a microcosm of the entire offseason. The Panthers are gambling that the future can seamlessly replace the past.

Next: Florida Panthers: Why the Cats need two defensemen on the man advantage

Time will only tell if these young prospects can step up to the plate and deliver accordingly. For the time being: Sit back, relax (try to) and enjoy the ride!