"We looked a lot of different options, especially at forward," Drury said. "We just felt the most comfortable with this deal. We've been looking at and talking about Reilly Smith for a long time. This just fit for us now and it sets us up well in the future to have flexibility come next summer."
Smith was selected by the Dallas Stars in the third round (No. 69) of the 2009 NHL Draft and has 513 points (213 goals, 300 assists) in 840 regular-season games with the Penguins, Golden Knights, Stars, Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers, and 79 points (26 goals, 53 assists) in 106 Stanley Cup Playoff games. He had 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in 22 games during the 2023 postseason to help Vegas win the Stanley Cup, including the Cup-clinching goal in Game 5 of the Final against the Panthers.
The Rangers also signed forward Sam Carrick to a three-year, $3 million contract ($1 million average annual value). The 32-year-old had 16 points (10 goals, six assists) in 77 regular-season games with the Anaheim Ducks and Edmonton Oilers last season, including five points (two goals, three assists) in 16 games with the Oilers after being acquired in a trade March 6.
He had one assist in 10 playoff games to help Edmonton reach the Stanley Cup Final. It was his first time playing in the postseason.
The signing of Carrick comes after the Rangers placed forward Barclay Goodrow on waivers June 18. He was claimed by the San Jose Sharks the next day.
"I think everyone is well aware what I think of Barclay and what he did for us for in three years here,” Drury said. “He was a great Ranger, played extremely hard every single night. When you're in the position we're in there are tough decisions as a GM you have to make. He was a great Ranger and I certainly wish him all the best in San Jose. As far as Sam, he brings a hard element to our group. Our scouts had their eye on him for a while and certainly when he got traded to Edmonton we watched him up there throughout the playoffs. He's a natural center that brings some edge, some grit, certainly some toughness as well to our bottom six. Looking forward to having him next season."
Carrick was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the fifth round (No. 144) of the 2010 NHL Draft and has 53 points (28 goals, 25 assists) in 240 regular-season games with the Oilers, Ducks, and Maple Leafs.
The Penguins also signed forward Anthony Beauvillier to a one-year, $1.25 million contract, and forward Blake Lizotte to a two-year, $3.7 million contract ($1.85 million AAV).
Beauvillier had 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) in 60 games with the Vancouver Canucks, Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators last season. That included three points (one goal, two assists) in 15 games with the Predators after being acquired in a trade with the Blackhawks on March 7.
The 27-year-old had two points (one goal, one assist) in six playoff games.
Beauvillier was chosen by the New York Islanders in the first round (No. 28) of the 2015 NHL Draft, and has 246 points (116 goals, 130 assists) in 550 regular-season games with the Predators, Blackhawks, Canucks and Islanders, and 31 points (15 goals, 15 assists) in 55 playoff games.
Lizotte had 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 62 regular-season games with the Los Angeles Kings last season. The 27-year-old scored one goal in five playoff games.
Signed by Los Angeles as an undrafted free agent on April 2, 2019, Lizotte has 106 points (37 goals, 69 assists) in 320 regular-season games, and two points (one goal, one assist) in 15 postseason games.
NHL.com senior writer Dan Rosen contributed to this report
