Smith signs and delivers
Written by Kyle Kujawa   
Friday, 28 May 2010 14:11
NCAA Frozen Four: Wisconsin v Boston College APR 10.

I've made mention several times that prospect Brendan Smith announced he'd be skipping his senior season at the University of Wisconsin to sign a professional contract with Detroit. And he did just that yesterday, signing a three year entry-level deal, cashing in on his strong collegiate career by earning the rookie max base salary of $875,000 per year.

He celebrated his new contract by punching some dude square in the face. Well, that's what a lot of places are saying, but really the incident happened earlier this month and he was charged today.

I fully expect some people to blow this way out of proportion. Because yes, this isn't the first time Smith has done something less than brilliant. However, these things happen in college, sometimes to hockey players. Smith is a passionate player on the ice and that carries off the ice. He's made his fair share of mistakes in college, but I have no doubts he can let it stay there. The atmosphere surrounding a college athlete and a professional (either AHL/NHL) is entirely different. That's not to say that you can't make these mistakes as a professional, but I really don't see this thing start to follow him when he gets into the swing of the every day grind at the rink.

Other than that, I couldn't be more thrilled. Smith was Detroit's first round pick in 2007, and it took him until this season to prove exactly why. He had shown flashes before, but this season he just ran away with the defensive scoring race, and in the couple games I saw him, he looked very competent in his own zone. He's a converted forward -- so it's good both that he's still scoring and that he's made strides in the defensive end as well. He was one of ten finalists for the Hobey Bakers as the top player in college hockey. His speed, big shot, puck control, and creativity and patience with the puck are by far his best assets.

Looking forward to seeing if he can make any noise in camp, and either way, to what he can do for Grand Rapids next season. If nothing else, at least guy has the toughness that so many fans are always clamoring for. Right, right?



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