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Signed: Former New York Rangers defenseman signs unexpected deal with Metropolitan Division rivals
Photo credit: O2K sports management
A former New York Rangers defenseman has signed with the team's Metropolitan Division rivals. The 700-game defenseman played with the Rangers during the 2018 to 21 season.
Former 700-game NHL defenseman Brendan Smith has joined the New York Rangers' rivals, the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The signing was announced today by the organization, as the NHL veteran will be joining the team's AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters.
The contract is a one-year, two-way deal that is for the remainder of the 2025-26 NHL season.
Smith played 11 games this season for the Cleveland Monsters, scoring 1 point (1 A). The 36-year-old veteran played 32 games for the Dallas Stars last year, scoring 6 points (1-5).
Former New York Rangers Defenseman Brendan Smith Joins the Rival Columbus Blue Jackets
Smith, originally a 27th overall pick in the 2007 NHL Draft, will have to work his way up the depth chart in Columbus as the team's prospect pipeline is brimming with future talent.
The defenseman has had a long career in the NHL (726 games), split between the New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, Detroit Red Wings, Dallas Stars, Carolina Hurricanes, and Columbus Blue Jackets.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound left-shot defenseman participated in the Columbus Blue Jackets training camp earlier in the season, scoring 6 points (1-5) during his tryout.
He's scored a total of 144 points (39-105) in 726 games played.
His last contract paid him $1 million AAV (average annual value).
The former Rangers defenseman will be joining their divisional rivals in what could be an aggressive matchup later down the road.
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