Just for this season - Smith is a UFA in 2025.
And for this season? Dubas basically said they're rebuilding. So there's not really any reason to need an extra $1.25M this year.
Granted, I would have thought that would mean they wouldn't need to fill the roster with veterans, and would have given room for prospects to show what they can do. I do have a theory on that score though. Two reasons:
1. They're bolstering WB/S, and expect Pittsburgh to not be great, so might as well continue developing prospects in a winning environment instead of what the NHL team will be.
2. Appeasing Sullivan.
On the one hand, Dubas has been starting to build up both the prospect pool, and is starting to accumulate picks. On the other hand, I would have preferred to just not sign NHL players and leave room for prospects than bringing in Beauvillier and Grzelcyk.