According to multiple reports, the New York Rangers’ roster makeover continued on Thursday when they traded Reilly Smith to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for forward Brendan Brisson and a third-round draft pick. This move came just about 24 hours before the NHL trade deadline, which was set for Friday at 3 PM ET.
This marks the Rangers’ fifth trade of the season and their second consecutive trade this week involving a veteran player who was set to become an unrestricted free agent and was not expected to be re-signed. According to Vince Mercogliano of Gannett, the Rangers retained 50% of Smith’s salary cap hit ($1.875 million).
Smith is likely happy with this trade. After playing three consecutive games for roster management purposes, the 33-year-old forward is now returning to Vegas, where he helped the Golden Knights win the Stanley Cup in 2023.
In fact, Smith spent six seasons with the Golden Knights, including their inaugural 2017-18 season, when they made it to the Stanley Cup Final before losing to the Washington Capitals in five games.
After spending one season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Smith was traded to the Rangers on July 1 of last year. This season, he played 58 games with the Rangers, moving up and down the lineup and serving as one of the team’s top penalty killers. He recorded 29 points (10 goals, 19 assists), ranking seventh on the team, and was tied for second in short-handed goals with two.
The New York Rangers and the Toronto Maple Leafs have faced each other recently and have an upcoming matchup scheduled. Here’s a summary of their recent and forthcoming encounters:
On March 1, 2025, the Maple Leafs edged out the Rangers with a 3-2 victory at Madison Square Garden. Matthew Knies scored the decisive goal in the third period, marking his 22nd of the season. Goaltender Anthony Stolarz contributed significantly to Toronto’s win with 33 saves. Other goal scorers for Toronto included Oliver Ekman-Larsson and William Nylander. For the Rangers, Mika Zibanejad and Will Cuylle found the back of the net, with Cuylle’s goal being a short-handed effort.
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Upcoming Game: March 20, 2025
The Rangers and Maple Leafs are set to meet again on March 20, 2025, at Madison Square Garden. The game is scheduled to start at 7:00 PM ET, with doors opening at 6:00 PM. Fans planning to attend should note that mobile tickets are required for entry and can be accessed via the New York Rangers Official Team App or the Ticketmaster App. Additionally, bags larger than 22″ x 14″ x 9″ are prohibited, and it’s recommended to arrive early to ensure a smooth entry process.
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As of their last meeting on March 1, 2025, the Maple Leafs held a record of 37-20-2, placing them first in the Atlantic Division. The Rangers had a record of 29-26-4, ranking fifth in the Metropolitan Division. In that game, Toronto’s offense averaged 3.19 goals per game, while New York averaged 3.03 goals per game. Defensively, the Maple Leafs allowed an average of 2.84 goals per game, with the Rangers conceding 3.1 goals per game.
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Please note that team statistics and standings may have changed since their last encounter. For the most current information, it’s advisable to consult official NHL sources or reputable sports news outlets.