*
By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
The Vegas Golden Knights rolled out General Manager Kelly McCrimmon and freshly-signed Original Misfit Reilly Smith Thursday morning to chat with the media.
And as the franchise comes off its first non-playoff season, it’s clear the Golden Knights will enter Year 6 with a new identity to forge.
Last year saw the departures of franchise favorites like Marc-Andre Fleury, Ryan Reaves and Alex Tuch, while Nate Schmidt was sent packing the season before that.
Now with Max Pacioretty jettisoned to Carolina to lop off his $7 million annual salary to sign Smith, the Golden Knights with big-name players like Jack Eichel, Alex Pietrangelo and Mark Stone look to return to the Stanley Cup playoffs while figuring out just exactly who they are.
Whatever the Year 6 identity is, it would likely help the Golden Knights if they played with more of a physical edge while skating with more intensity — something that the Year 1 Misfits were known for.
McCrimmon today did not add much new material to the narrative that the Golden Knights got rid of Pacioretty to create room under the salary cap to sign Smith. The cap is $82.5 million.
“Teams can’t keep everyone,” McCrimmon told about a dozen reporters Thursday morning.
McCrimmon used the ol’ “two-way player” description for Smith, who represented himself in signing a three-year contract worth an average of $5 million per year.
“Reilly is an older player and knows his value,” McCrimmon said. “He represented himself well.”
LVSportsBiz.com asked McCrimmon if the VGK have any young players who could have a break-through season to help replace Pacioretty’s goal-scoring punch.
He mentioned players like Nic Roy, Brett Howden and Michael Amadio. Plus, he said a healthy Stone should add some more goals. McCrimmon mentioned Stone is doing well after back surgery.
LVSportsBiz.com also asked Smith what was it like to not be in the playoffs after making the postseason in the franchise’s first four seasons.
“This playoff was a weird feeling. I felt I was a student of the game again,” Smith said. “It was a learning experience for me.”
Smith said he bought a house in Las Vegas and is committed to this market.
“I put my heart and soul in this organization,” he said.
LVSportsBiz.com also asked Smith what will it take for his Misfits line that includes pals Jonathan Marchessault and William Karlsson to regain its swagger and success from Year 1.
Smith recalled Karlsson scored 43 goals in Year 1 and half-joked that in Year 6 Karlsson will have to score 44.