LAS VEGAS -- The first coach in Golden Knights history, Gerard Gallant, once called Reilly Smith the smartest player on the team.

The second coach, Peter DeBoer, felt as if he was an extension of the coaching staff.

Current coach Bruce Cassidy said Thursday he's glad to have Smith back, after the 33-year-old was traded by the New York Rangers back to Vegas, in exchange for Brendan Brisson and a third-round draft pick in 2025.

"I think it’ll be a good addition for us," Cassidy said. "He’s a veteran guy. He knows how we play, knows the room, knows the expectations. Comfortable here in pretty much every aspect, I would think."

An original "Golden Misfit" from the 2017-18 squad that entered the league and went to the Stanley Cup Final, Smith was part of the championship team in 2023.

But less than a month after hoisting the Cup, he was traded to Pittsburgh for a third-round pick, on June 28, 2023. That was less than a year after he signed a three-year, $15 million extension.

Now, after his stint in Pittsburgh and being moved to the Rangers, Smith returns to Vegas with New York retaining part of the salary and the Knights on the hook for $1.875 million.

A fan favorite, social media was abuzz when the trade was announced and the Golden Knights made it official with a post of their own.

Whenever Smith takes the ice for the Knights, he should have no trouble fitting in somewhere in the bottom six of the forwards.

"Sometimes guys come in and it takes them a while to get acclimated," Cassidy said. "They defer a lot because they come into a locker room that’s had success so they want to fit in. It’s human nature.

"Reilly knows pretty much everybody in the room. There’s been some turnover the past two years, but for the most part he knows the players. A lot of familiarity."

And with the hockey IQ he brings, he could have an immediate impact.

ON THE BEAT

From Sin Bin Vegas' Ken Boehlke: Same Opponent, Same Game, Most Of The Season This Year For VGK

From The Athletic's Jesse Granger: Why the Golden Knights brought Reilly Smith back to Vegas

From Las Vegas Review-Journal's Danny Webster: He’s back: Knights acquire Original Misfit in trade with Rangers

From Las Vegas Sun's Jack Williams: Golden Knights trade Brendan Brisson for Original Misfit Reilly Smith

From Las Vegas Review-Journal's Ed Graney: Knights have perfect recipe, and goalie, for another deep run

FORMER KNIGHTS

Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki is the highest-ranked former Knight in registered points since the calendar turn, tied for 11th with 29 points (8 goals, 21 assists) since Jan. 1.

Cody Glass returns to Vegas on Friday with the Penguins. He has 15 points (4 goals, 11 assists) for Pittsburgh this season.

After trudging through a 2-4 slide, Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson snapped a two-game skid with a victory over the Senators on Monday. Despite the recent slump, Thompson still ranks fifth in the league with 26 wins.

Former Maple Leaf Ryan Reaves was in attendance for Wednesday's game in Vegas, but was sporting a grey suit, rather than a uniform, as he was one of three healthy scratches. One day later, Reaves was placed on waivers,