Newcomer Better Than Expected With Penguins
Reilly Smith has only played three games with the Pittsburgh Penguins, but he is already exceeding expectations.
When the Pittsburgh Penguins traded a single pick in the 2024 NHL Draft for Reilly Smith, they knew they were getting a good player with impressive offensive qualities.
Despite high expectations, the Penguins believe Smith is better than initially anticipated, and that has been shown by more than just his chemistry with Evgeni Malkin.
“I’m just trying to read the ice a little bit more,” Smith said. “You don’t really build chemistry that fast. You just try to learn the best you can.”
Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan knew he was getting someone with a great hockey sense, but the lack of a learning curve has been noticeable.
“I think what’s really impressed me about Reilly is his hockey I.Q. is even better than I anticipated,” Sullivan said. “The awareness he has on the rink. The subtle positional things he does.”
Smith has been making a real effort to learn on the fly, but the success is already paying off.
The Penguins’ second line of Smith, Malkin, and Rickard Rakell has already been one of the most successful lines on the team.
Malkin was given third star of the week honors by the NHL with six points in three games; Smith has seen a number of scoring chances and finally started capitalizing with goals in back-to-back games; and Rakell has a knack for being productive anywhere in the lineup.
With the bottom six yet to record much of note, the Penguins have been carried by their top lines and Smith has been a huge part of the great start.
Smith has found a way to be better than expected in just a few games.
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