The New York Rangers have opted to rest forward Reilly Smith during their matchup against the Nashville Predators, primarily as a precautionary measure ahead of the NHL trade deadline. With Smith set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season, the Rangers want to avoid any potential injury that could complicate a trade, as he has surfaced as a viable candidate for a deal. This season marks Smith's first with the Rangers, where he has contributed 29 points over 898 career games.

In recent transactions, the Rangers traded Jimmy Vesey and Ryan Lindgren to the Colorado Avalanche, both of whom share the same impending UFA status. The Rangers currently sit just four points behind the Detroit Red Wings for the second wild-card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, adding urgency to their roster decisions as they navigate the trade deadline.

Reilly Smith will not play for the New York Rangers against the Nashville Predators, as the team is managing their roster in anticipation of a trade. The Rangers are keen to secure assets in exchange for their upcoming unrestricted free agents, rather than allowing them to walk away. This follows the trades of Ryan Lindgren and Jimmy Vesey to the Colorado Avalanche, marking the beginning of a roster overhaul.

Smith's absence suggests a likely trade before the March 7 NHL Trade Deadline. After being acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins, he recorded 10 goals and 19 assists this season. His performance in 58 games indicates he could be a valuable asset for teams looking for a veteran forward.

Reilly Smith, a key player for the New York Rangers, is being held out of the lineup as the team prepares for a series of trades ahead of the deadline. With Smith being a pending unrestricted free agent, he is expected to be the next asset on the move following the recent trades of Jimmy Vesey and Ryan Lindgren to the Colorado Avalanche.

The Rangers are also looking to move Calvin de Haan, the only other pending UFA on the roster, and have several restricted free agents, including K’Andre Miller and Zac Jones. While the team may explore trading established players like Chris Kreider and Artemi Panarin, these deals are anticipated to be more complicated.

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On January 6, 2022, the Colorado Avalanche showcased their dominance against the Winnipeg Jets, with Gabriel Landeskog delivering a hat trick in a 7-1 victory. This marked a peak time for the Avalanche as they moved into first place in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls, led by Lonzo Ball, secured their ninth consecutive win against the Washington Wizards, with Ball contributing significantly in scoring and defense.

However, this marked a turning point for both athletes. Just days later, Ball suffered a knee injury that sidelined him for over two years. Landeskog, after lifting the Stanley Cup five months later, began a long battle with knee issues. Both players underwent cartilage replacement surgeries, a rare procedure that both are attempting to recover from, with Ball already returning to play while Landeskog's future remains uncertain.