7/26/18 | Dave Maloney was on the NHL Network earlier today and said that Brendan smith has reportedly lost 15 pounds this offseason while training with Ben Prentiss in Connecticut.
Maloney said that Smith is in "tremendous shape" and could be someone who provides some veteran presence and snarl for the Rangers.
7/5/18 | Rangers will give Brendan Smith an opportunity to make the team
Jeff Gorton said on Monday that the Rangers will give Brendan Smith an opportunity to "get back" on the team and "help us."
Gorton said that the organization thinks Smith is doing "all the right things" this summer to get back into a position where he can play in the Rangers top-six and be "the player we know he can be.."
The Rangers GM said that all indications point to Smith having a good summer so far and that he understands it will be a "really important September" for him.
Smith has been working out at the Rangers practice facility and his agent has said that he is
Adam Rotter: While Smith has some characteristics in his game that would help a rebuilding team like the Rangers, his best asset could just be his presence. Smith had nearly 400, playoff and regular season games, games under his belt as well as a brand new four-year deal and was then sent to Hartford as the Rangers announced their rebuild. He's an example to the young players that hard work and execution are needed in the NHL even if you have a resume and contract like Smith has. He will go to camp and battle with a number of prospects and will have to re-earn his spot on the Rangers. I don't expect David Quinn to point at Smith and tell everyone in training camp that if they don't perform they will be sent down, but hopefully his presence alone, with three-years left on his contract and a cap hit of $4.35 million, in battling for a spot will send that message.