Rangers’ Mika Zibanejad ‘excited’ to have Reilly Smith as linemate against Islanders
Ever since the Pavel Buchnevich trade in 2021, New York Rangers top center Mika Zibanejad and longtime linemate Chris Kreider have been searching for a replacement on the right side of their line. While many have tried, none have been able to find consistent success alongside two of the longest-tenured Rangers.
Tuesday night, newly-acquired Reilly smith will get his first chance to fill that void when the Rangers host the New York Islanders in a preseason game at Madison Square Garden.
“You can tell his compete level is unbelievable,” Zibanejad said Tuesday morning. “The way he handles the puck, the way he tries to make plays, I think he has a really high hockey IQ, I’m excited.”
Smith adds 840 games, 513 points, and a Stanley Cup ring of NHL experience to New York’s lineup. Last season, Smith scored 13 goals and had 40 points on a struggling Pittsburgh Penguins team that missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Now, he will look to bounce back with the Rangers, who are among the top Stanley Cup contenders this season.
Zibanejad is looking to rebound this season as well. He had 26 goals and 72 points last season, a considerable drop-off from 39 goals and 91 points in 2022-23. Tuesday will be a good first test with Smith and Kreider on his wings.
“I feel like it could be something good,” Zibanejad said. “Obviously we get the game tonight, you hope we play well and get a win. No matter the circumstance, we still get video, we still get a game to be able to talk about, to look through the video, to talk to each other and just kind of get familiar with each other, see what we can do better, what we did well in the game, and try to build on that.”
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Peter Laviolette hopes Reilly Smith fills void for Rangers
Trying to fill the first line right-wing position stumped coach Peter Laviolette through his first season behind the Rangers bench. Kaapo Kakko and Blake Wheeler took turns at the role last year, Jimmy Vesey held the line together after Wheeler sustained an injury, and even rookie Brennan Othmann got a look in his short three-game call up. Jack Roslovic arrived ahead of the trade deadline. Still, no one seemed to fit the puzzle.
Laviolette hopes that Smith will be the missing piece. It was evident last season, especially in the playoffs, that this was something that needed to be addressed. While many thought general manager Chris Drury would go fishing for a top-10 winger, it was Smith who was brought in as a more affordable option. An option that Laviolette is turning to right away.
“I’d like it to be a good line,” Laviolette explained. “There’s three good players, and it’s new, so you don’t know. There’s a starting point, I think, for everything. You find out if things work or they don’t work. They’re three good players, and they’ve had a few practices together, so tonight they’ll play a game together.”
Smith will be one of the top Rangers to watch in their second game of the preseason. Even if things don’t click right away, expect this line to get several chances to prove themselves over the rest of camp.
If Smith is a good fit, it could free up Zibanejad and allow him to have a better year offensively. Heading into their first game, Zibanejad is welcoming his new linemate, and has some familiarity with the brother of his former Rangers teammate, defenseman Brendan Smith.
“I never spent time with Reilly before, but knowing Brendan, it helps a little bit. Happy that he’s here and I’m really looking forward to this.”
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