Toronto Maple Leafs‘ 8th year right wing Ben Smith(18) scores a 1-year extension to stay with the club for 2017/2018.
He played 36 NHL games scoring 2 goals and 2 assists last season after being picked up on waivers from Colorado Avalanche after only 4 games with no points.
It would be his 2nd stint in Ontario after being acquired by the team at the 2016 trade deadline.
Touted as very good on special teams, especially the penalty kill, despite being a healthy scratch for much of the time, he fills a necessary role when inserted into the lineup.
He is still looking for a breakout campaign in the big league like he had through 2013/2014 with draft team Chicago Blackhawks, when he played a career high 75 games getting a best 14 goals and 12 assists, while also hoisting the Cup
The forward will turn 29-years old over the summer, and even if he clears to get reassigned in the upcoming season will likely be happy spending more time on ice with affiliate Toronto Marlies.
Ben Smith (21)
7th year right wing Ben Smith(21) didn’t have to wait too long before Colorado Avalanche picked up the unrestricted free agent’s option for 2016/2017, signing him to a one-year, two-way deal.
For the first time since being drafted by Chicago Blackhawks as a 6th round pick in 2008 (#169 overall), he’s set to join his third team since halfway through the 2014/2015 season.
Traded at the deadline to San Jose Sharks from the team he’d spent the previous 5+ years with and won the 2013 Stanley Cup, he skated 19 NHL games scoring 2 goals and 3 assists with a +3 rating but after 6 contests in the follow-up campaign with no points found himself reassigned to affiliate San Jose Barracuda.
After 14 games in the minors exploding the score sheet (8 goals, assists), he was once again dealt at the deadline to Toronto Maple Leafs.
They would keep him on the roster through 16 games registering 2 goals and 4 assists with another +3 rating but sent to farm club Toronto Marlies in their quest for a first Calder Cup trophy.
Despite their best efforts, they were eliminated in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The 28-year old, two-time NCAA Championship winner with Boston College Eagles will likely see more playing time in the big league with the young squad but also could be named captain of affiliate San Antonio Rampage to help guide the prospects.