Penguins' Two Moves Take Care of Business for the Present and Future

A few hours after announcing his first big trade with the Penguins - acquiring Reilly Smith from Vegas in exchange for a 2024 third-round draft pick - president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas went onstage at Bridgestone Arena to announce the first draft selection of his tenure in Pittsburgh. The Penguins took forward Brayden Yager, who spent last season with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League, 14th overall.

"So, two important parts of business for the present and the future, much in the way that we've kind of mapped this out and planned to do it," Dubas said. "So, exciting day for us, and looking forward to continuing that tomorrow and then later this week."

The third-round draft pick actually originally belonged to Vegas, with the Golden Knights sending it to Pittsburgh at the trade deadline in exchange for Teddy Blueger. "With the cost being what it was… we just thought it was something that was too good for us to pass up, and we're very excited about that," Dubas said.

Talks heated up this week, after the celebrations following Vegas' Stanley Cup championship started to cool down. Dubas said the Penguins felt like Smith would be a terrific fit because not only is he extremely reliable defensively - he's able to consistently produce offensively. "I think that's important to winning, and especially when the stakes get high," Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan said.

Smith recorded 26 goals - which ranked third on the team - and 56 points in 78 regular-season games, before picking up 14 points (4G-10A) during the playoffs. Smith is a five-time 20-goal scorer, and has hit the 50-goal plateau six times. "We view it as kind of being able to interchange him throughout our top of our lineup," Dubas said.

Sullivan said they've already discussed using Smith with Evgeni Malkin, since they're both strong at producing off the rush, but they'll explore different options with Reilly's versatility. "He can play either wing, he kills penalties, he's on the power play… The fact that he's been used in all situations, I think is suggestive of his hockey IQ," Sullivan said.

Smith, 32, is signed through the 2024-25 season - with his contract carrying an average annual value of $5 million. "We thought we our move today was better than waiting till free agency, and just the term and dollars on Reilly were right," Dubas said. Both he and Sullivan said that bringing Smith into the organization certainly doesn't close the door on bringing back impending free agent Jason Zucker, and that conversations are ongoing with the top-six winger.

"We're certainly hopeful that we can get something accomplished and keep Zuck in our locker room," Sullivan said. "He had a real good year for us last year. He's a big part of our team. I know his teammates really value what he brings to the table. I don't think just because we made this deal today means anything other than we added a real good player and we're a better team, hopefully more versatile."

Smith will help them right now, while Yager will help them down the line. Dubas said he got calls about potentially trading the pick, but nothing that was worth missing out on the chance to take Brayden.

"He was in a mix of players that we were really hoping would drop down to 14," Dubas said. "The scouting staff was very excited about him, and we're thrilled to be able to get him at our pick."

NHL Central Scouting ranked Yager 11th among North American skaters after a season where he posted career highs in points (78) and assists (50). Dubas said the Penguins liked how Yager competed as a center in a difficult division, and the way he was the defensive conscience of his line while also producing offensively.

Yager actually tries to model his game after Sidney Crosby, "who's one of the best complete players ever… it's pretty crazy to think that I'm wearing the same jersey he does," Brayden said. "But I think just being able to play a 200-foot game is huge in transferring to the NHL level and getting the trust of your coaches."

Crosby gave Yager a call to congratulate and welcome him to the organization, once Brayden got to the Penguins suite to meet with his family and team personnel. They actually took him out to dinner in Buffalo after his prospect interview during the NHL Combine, which meant Yager was well aware of their interest.

"We did a pretty typical interview, but I think it was cool to go out for supper with them and ask them pretty cool questions. I had a good feeling after the dinner, which was really good," Yager said. "It still hasn't sank in yet (that I've been drafted there)… it's so surreal. It's crazy to think that I'm a part of an NHL club now. I don't even believe it yet, so hopefully, I'll let that settle in for the next little bit here."