For 2016/2017, defenseman Derek Smith(27) will be entering his tenth pro season and will turn 32-years old at the onset of new hockey calendar.
He was signed to a one-year, two-way deal by Arizona Coyotes early in unrestricted free agency but played, when he was healthy, which wasn’t more than 28 AHL games with affiliate Springfield Falcons.
Very much a shame too as he had two goals and 17 assists for 19 points, which was easily first among defense before he went down with permanent injury, which has definitely plagued him a bit.
Tough to say where the solid playing, mobile d-man will take his game for double digits in the pro career but it probably wouldn’t be a stretch to see him return to the Swiss NLA, where he skated in 2014/2015 with ZSC Lions for a stint or some place similar.
He did spend three years trolling the blue line for Calgary Flames from 2011 – 2014.
Derek Smith(24) Calgary Flames
Defenseman Derek Smith(24) has played his entire pro career in Ottawa Senators‘ system mostly with their AHL affiliate Binghamton Senators, other than 11 games over the last couple seasons up in the NHL.
Coming back from injury he helped the B-Sens win their 1st Calder Cup in a very memorable playoff run.
For his 5th season, he signed a one-year, two-way contract with Calgary Flames.
He’ll likely spend most of his time with Abbotsford Heat. He was undrafted.
We’ll miss his presence in the Eastern Conference.