I agree that both Smith & Brossoit are most likely candidates to get traded, but I don't think NYR has a need for Brossoit. Could see Reilly go there for sure though.

I have no doubt phones are ringing all over is Smith is available.
The question is do you really think you're getting a return for him. You don't really have any leverage.
The best you can hope is to pin them against each other, but they are wise to that. They could just as easily all say, what are you going to pay for me to take him?

We'd have to move Georgiev for that to work. Or send Brossoit to Edmonton or New Jersey. Both need goalies. Just Krav+2nd for Smith is great with NYR.

They will not have to pay someone to take Smith. He will get worthwhile return.

Every team is working in their own self interest.

Only thing I could see would be a conditional pick involved so that he is not flipped within the Pacific division.

Look, I think he's sent to the other conference myself. While there are teams there with cap, or could make cap, the truth is, everyone knows VGK is stuck.
Of all the teams in the East right now that are playoff bound, aka the ones who would make the trade for a rental player, the only one with cap is NY.
Everyone else has to clear cap. That isn't exactly a good starting point for VGK. If everyone has to clear cap to take him, they aren't going to pay for him.
You look at NY and they are filled with wingers. If he was a center that would be something else.
I think you are over estimating the return.

Totally agree. I can see you flipping Georgiev to Edmonton for a decent return and taking Bro as a throw in. That being said, there are many more options.

The bolded is flawed thinking. Yes, everyone knows this, but their actions 100% will not follow it. Its like prisoner's dilemma. Game theory.

And you could wash his cap hit through Arizona or another bottom feeder. Teams will make space.

It's funny you use Game theory here. The Nash equilibrium also applies.
It's not up to everyone else to make it work. They don't have a deadline, they aren't under the gun. They all know that.
Even looking at it. Putting a team through AZ isn't going to help. Most teams still can't even afford 1/2 the cap hit without moving someone out. And some teams he just doesn't fill the need for what little space they have aka BOS who needs a C not a winger.
You are really over estimating the return. NY doesn't need another winger. Just look at their line up. They are stacked on the wing and I don't see them playing their 1oa or 2oa on the 4th line.
So if teams are already going to have to pay to move cap out, why would they pay again, to fix VGK cap issue. They won't.
One has to do what is best for the group and what is best for one's self in order to make this work.
To do that, VGK will end up moving him for not much.
As that is the real Game Theory answer here. People aren't going to give up 2 2nds to move him for VGK. It might actually be the exact opposite. Where VGK gives up, to help move the other teams player so they can shift the cap out. This is a more likely scenario.