Two weeks into the 2026-27 NHL season, some experienced forwards are still waiting for their next opportunity. That includes former Boston Bruins players Reilly Smith and James van Riemsdyk, who were both included in Lyle Richardson of Bleacher Report's ranking of the top eight remaining free agents.
Richardson placed Smith at No. 3 and van Riemsdyk at No. 4, a sign that teams looking for depth and offense still have some recognizable options available early in the season. It also shows that not every veteran forward finds a landing spot right away, even after the schedule has already begun.
Smith's case still starts with production
Last season, Smith played 69 games for the Vegas Golden Knights and scored 16 goals with 26 points. Richardson noted that his production tumbled to a career-low 26 points in those 69 games, but he also suggested there is still enough left for one more decent season. In his view, Smith could fit as a skilled third-line winger for a team looking for a dependable middle-six option.
That was reinforced by Smith's brief playoff role last spring, when he appeared in seven playoff games, recorded two assists and averaged 12 and a half minutes a game. The numbers point to a player whose role can still be useful, even if the offensive ceiling is no longer what it once was.
Van Riemsdyk remains a fit for the right role
Richardson's ranking also kept James van Riemsdyk near the top of the available market. The idea with van Riemsdyk is more specific: because of his age and declining production, Richardson suggested he may be best used as a power-play specialist. Even so, his experience and offensive touch could still help teams looking for an extra scoring punch.
For clubs weighing whether to add another veteran forward, that distinction matters. Smith brings the profile of a possible third-line winger, while van Riemsdyk may be more of a situational scoring piece. Either way, their presence on the list shows that proven depth forwards are still part of the conversation early in the season.
The market itself got a little smaller last week when the Philadelphia Flyers added Michael Bunting to their roster. But with Smith and van Riemsdyk still available, teams do not have to look far to find veterans with track records if they decide they need help.
