Story by
Ex-Devils Defenseman Back in Metro, Inks Deal with Blue Jackets
- Story by
- Ex-Devils Defenseman Back in Metro, Inks Deal with Blue Jackets
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The Columbus Blue Jackets announced today they've inked ex- New Jersey Devils defenseman, Brendan Smith , to a one-year contract.
Smith was on a professional tryout contract with the Blue Jackets, and he converted the PTO into a two-way NHL contract for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.
Advertisement
The current dollar amount of Smith's contract is unknown, however, cannot exceed $975K on a two-way deal. Smith joined the American Hockey League's Cleveland Monsters on an AHL contract after NHL training camp concluded.
In 11 games with the Monsters, Smith's accrued one assist and eight penalty minutes in 11 games.
Smith signed a two-year contract with a $1.1 million average annual value in July 2022 with the Devils. He brought gritty, physical defense to New Jersey during his two-season stint, suiting up for 123 regular-season games as a bottom-pairing blueliner. In that span, he tallied 5 goals and 15 assists for 20 points, with a neutral +/- of 0 and 124 penalty minutes reflecting his combative style—backstopped by 219 hits, 177 blocks, and an average ice time hovering around 16 minutes per night. His best offensive season in New Jersey emerged in 2023-24 with a career-best 5 goals on just 118 shots, while his lone playoff contribution came in 2023 with 1 assist over 3 games en route to New Jersey's second-round exit.
He left the Devils for the Dallas Stars during free agency in July 2024.
Advertisement
He'll join fellow ex-Devils defenseman, Damon Severson , in Ohio with the Blue Jackets.
Over 14 NHL seasons with the Devils, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings , New York Rangers , and Carolina Hurricanes , Smith amassed 39 goals and 105 assists for 144 points in 726 regular-season games, while racking up 787 penalty minutes, 972 hits, 694 blocked shots, and 811 shots on goal. In 59 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, he added 3 goals and 12 assists for 15 points along with 72 PIM. Smith was originally drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the first round (27th overall) of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
Related Headlines
