Vegas's decision to trade Reilly Smith to re-sign Ivan Barbashev was difficult, but the right call.
Reilly Smith, assistant captain, original “Misfit,” and softball game stalwart was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday to make room to re-sign Ivan Barbashev.
The two moves were announced an hour apart and signaled the end of Smith’s time with the Golden Knights and the extension of Barbashev’s, meaning the Golden Knights knew who they valued when it came to their championship window.
They chose Barbashev – who can be considered in the prime of his career at 27 – and his impact on the first line alongside Jack Eichel and Jonathan Marchessault over the 32-year-old Smith’s presence on the third line with William Karlsson.
The Golden Knights must believe they have enough in the forward depth to move Smith, who was a valuable two-way player and played steadily in the 399 games with Vegas.
By choosing Barbashev, the Golden Knights effectively believe that Smith’s best days are behind him and Barbashev offers more upside.
And that’s the right way to go about this dilemma.
Smith, while loved by the community and fans, has been streaky in the score column throughout his time with Vegas, while Barbashev impacts the game differently than how Smith does, giving Marchessault and Eichel a physical presence on the first line. The front office and coach Bruce Cassidy love Barbashev’s style and must feel his offensive production can be replicated over the course of an 82-game regular season.
There’s also the young players to consider.
The Golden Knights have forwards Pavel Dorofeyev and Paul Cotter developing. One or both expect to be a part of the Golden Knights future plans. One of them could fit on the third line only alongside Karlsson and Michael Amadio. I’d bet on Dorofeyev being the one here, as his game can easily slot into a role similar to Smith’s. Either way, Smith had to be traded if one or both were going to develop.
Vegas hasn’t been shy to move beloved players for the sake of bettering the team. It rarely works against the Golden Knights, though choosing Robin Lehner over Marc-Andre Fleury might be the only misstep.
Loyalty in professional sports is nonexistent and Smith is the latest to learn this. Vegas might have loved him, but to the front office, he’s another piece who had to be moved in order to bring forth a potential repeat.
It’s always tough for fans to see their favorites traded away, but whether fans like it or not, there will be a time when the “Misfits” are gone and Vegas is playing with a new group of players far removed from the early halcyon days that include a Stanley Cup.
Vegas General Manager Kelly McCrimmon has said that it’s tough being in his shoes and that if you can’t make these tough decisions, you’re not cut out to be a general manager in the National Hockey League.
This is true.
Trading away a beloved member of the Golden Knights to re-sign a key element to a championship team? That’s McCrimmon’s style and it will continue as long as he’s GM.
As for what happens next? Who knows. Vegas remains always in the conversation for players and is always looking for ways to improve the team.
Whether the fans approve or not, the moves will always be forgiven with winning, which is something that Vegas has done a lot of in its first six seasons.