The New York Rangers will not play forward Reilly Smith on Sunday evening against Nashville Predators for roster handling reasons.
Smith, 33, is a probable candidate to be traded before the NHL deadline on Friday. Rangers do not want to take a chance that he will get an injury before the deadline.
Smith, in her first season with Rangers, will be an unlimited free agent at the end of the season. On Saturday, Rangers Jimmy Vesey and Ryan Lindgren, who will also reach UFA status at the end of the season, traded to Colorado Avalanche.
Rangers sent a fifth round in the 2025 NHL draft and a second round of picking 2027 to Pittsburgh Penguins on July 1, 2024 to acquire Smith.
Smith has played for Dallas Stars (2011-13), Boston Bruins (2013-15), Florida Panthers (2015-17), Vegas Golden Knights (2017-23), Penguins and Rangers. He is in the last season of a three -year, $ 15 million contract he signed with Vegas in July 2022.
In 898 Career Games, Smith has 542 points (223 goals, 319 assists), with 29 of them (10 goals, 19 assists) who come with Rangers.
Rangers enters Play Sunday Four points behind the Detroit Red Wings for the second Jokcard Playoff Spot in the Eastern Conference.
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