Defenseman Brendan Smith has signed a PTO with the Blue Jackets, according to a team release. Smith, 36, was once a fringe top-four option but has slid into a definitive No. 7 role in recent years, even sometimes slotting in as a fourth-line winger. He spent 2024-25 with the Stars on a one-year, $1M deal, spending most of the year in the press box and averaging a career-low 13:13 per game. He logged 32 appearances, recording six points with a -9 rating and 41 hits. The 6’2″, 200-lb lefty didn’t see any playoff action for Dallas, either. After long stretches with the Red Wings and Rangers to begin his career, he’s now played for three teams, the Hurricanes, Devils and Stars, in the last four seasons. Smith’s best years came in Detroit, where he topped out with 19 points in 71 games during his first full-time season in the NHL back in 2013-14. He also went his entire career with the Wings without having negative possession impacts at even strength, proving there was some definite defensive upside there when tRead More
Blue Jackets sign former first-round pick to professional tryout
