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Red Wings sign Brendan Smith, former top draft pick, to three-year entry-level contract By Ansar Khan May 27, 2010, 2:15PM DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings have signed defenseman Brendan Smith, their first-round pick in the 2007 NHL entry draft (27th overall), to a three-year entry-level contract. Smith, a 21-year-old skilled, puck-moving defenseman, spent the last three seasons at Wisconsin. He was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in college hockey this year. “Brendan improved tremendously in each of his three seasons at Wisconsin,’’ Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said in a statement. “He was a dominant player at the collegiate level, in particular at his position, and we feel he is ready to take the next step in his career at the professional level. We look forward to having him at training camp in Traverse City in September.’’ Smith is slated to play for the AHL-affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins next season. Smith (6-foot-2, 190) led the nation in scoring among defensemen this past season, with 15 goals and 52 points. He was named to the All-WCHA First Team and was named WCHA defensive player of the year. Smith became the first Badger defenseman to record 50 points in a season since 1989-90 and the first to post at least 10 power-play goals in a season since 1979-80. In three seasons at Wisconsin, Smith collected 87 points, including 26 goals.

How about a third one in early April between Florida and Tampa at the Buccanneers stadium?

Still too early to tell; only 11 weeks into GR. We should know as the season progresses down there. He was pretty active on the first game film we saw at 7 wks. pregnant. The Dr. said he was showing off for us, already showing signs of grit with a lot of jump. (Actually too early to tell the gender at this point; we'll see the next time we look at films!) We had one drafted last year but never showed up to camp- (ectopic pregnancy, a fertilized egg had implanted outside the uterus, in the fallopian tubes). It was hard on the team to be sure, but overcoming the adversity made the team stronger. This season looks good so far. While its great for some teams, we've never really considered looking into free agency, although my wife has a sister that was acquired as a UFA from Korea. At this point, we're looking to build our team thru the draft. But you never know. Thanks for asking.

Trade Osgood for a draft pick to Tampa good luck Steve Y

Needs to be eating a hockey stick.

Lidstrom didn't have to be captain.

Leave it to Bettman to f*** up the only thing the NHL has going for itself these days Glad the Wings got a piece of it while it was still a novelty. What a dumbass.

wow two of them kinda wrecks the excitement. The NHL is getting messed up

Either way I think the trade was a good move from Toronto's perspective. Even if he never "gets jiggy with it" again he can still be a very valuable mentor for Jonas Gustavsson. Is it a coincidence that Gustavssons play dramatically improved after the addition of Giguere? I don't think so. I would have traded Jason Blake and Vesa Toskala for a bag of expired Doritos

Fail.. all the reasons have been said so I will just state another one. Crosby has ***** ****

I don't understand posts like this. What makes him NHL's talent aside from him previously having a contract with an NHL team? I see him as Russian talent, not NHL talent. He grew up playing hockey in Russia, that's where he learned the game. If anything, they could be saying exactly what you said about the NHL stealing their talent. It would suck to see such a talented player leave, but I wouldn't think anything less of the guy for going to play for a professional league in his native country.

They can have him.There's enough overpaid,under-performing assholes in this league.Let them all go to Russia.

Umm...speaking of talking out of your ass. GMR is right, and you happen to be very, very wrong. For forever and a day, GM's and coaches that have moved on have always, when possible, tried to bring in players from their former team. They do it b/c they know those players first hand, know what they can do and know their value/role to an organization. It happens all the time. And for you to suggest that they don't, shows a general lack of knowledge of the topic. Does it mean that any Wings will make it onto the Tampa roster? No, it doesn't. But that's not the point. The point is that GM's do, very often, target players from their former organizations. There's no reason to think Stevie won't at least entertain the notion of bringing in a current Red Wing should someone be available and he happens to need a body to fill a spot. And by my estimation, based upon the unsigned players they have, he may indeed be turning over a few roster spots. Maybe a Wing will end up in one of those spots.

This is what I would like to see... I like that we make sure guys are "over-ripe" but if he continues to develop at this pace, he should be up here sooner than later... there is a fine line between making sure guys are foaming at the mouth to get to the NHL and becoming stagnant with ones development at the AHL level, so far, we seem to have done a good job toeing that line, I just don't want a guy who is DEFINITELY NHL ready to stay in the AHL and stunt his development...

I agree, I don't think he alone will carry this team to the SCF, but I wouldn't be surprised to see us ice a team of basically the same as last year + Hudler... It would be nice to see Holland pull off a major move...

That line was in perfect English and grammatical context - just because your tiny brain can not wrap around its context is not my issue... Next, DO the math: 2010 - 20+ ≤ 1990 - Lidstrom came on board in 1992 - What an asinine question... if you've been following them for more than 30 years, great for you, but to assume I am a "fair weather fan" who wasn't around before the late 90's and at the tail end of the "Dead Wing era" and to question my knowledge of this team is arrogant and "douchey"(yes, that one's not a real word, but I think you can figure it out without a dictionary) Next, listen armchair GM, opinions are like assholes and we all have one, the context of this thread was what the team WILL look like - to suggest what you would LIKE to see done is one thing, but you replied under the context that that WILL happen... and if you actually follow the "business" end of things and have "been a fan for over 30 years" - You would know that's not the way Holland operates and to say the team will "look like s***" is even more laughable... how many cups has Holland brought us???? This would basically be the same team as 08 and what happened then???? I'm sure if Holland sees a number problem, he will adjust contracts fittingly... but to suggest that Nick gets A PENNY LESS than 5 million (unless HE takes it SPECIFICALLY to give the team cap relief) is a joke - you offer the guy the world and let him decide how much he wants, because it's what he's earned. Finally, I don't know how hard it is to wrap your head around the context of this thread - It was not a line thread, or a contract number thread, those were just numbers I was estimating, I was more concerned with the PLAYERS ON THE ROSTER... exactly... especially since so many people are conveniently leaving out the X factor - healthy lines have time to gel and chemistry is VERY important...

Hold on a minute! Is that what Holland would say? You know if your were a fan prior to the European invasion or dont think Hudler is top 6 league wide and that he will bring us back to Stanley Cup Nirvana (becasue he is the reason we won the Cup in 2008, you know) you know nothing about the Wings and how they operate and should give evereyone tons of negatives!

wow, I don't know how I did that, I meant to have Eaves in... I think all 3 of Miller/Eaves/Ritola will be signed, but one traded... I think Ritola might get traded to be honest and I actually think Eaves is the most likely of the 3 to be back... don't know how I made that mess up... good catch

I honestly think it was just a case of him needing a change of scenery. For some reason or another, he just didn't thrive in Detroit. He's meshed well in Philly and for that I say good for him.

let the KHL take whomever they want. If they can sustain a whole league of superstars, more power to them. More money for our American and Canadian kids.

TWO? How retarded. PENS? How retarded. You can't really blame the NHL, but jesus christ.

Have already voiced my opinion on this... Epic fail Bettman. The Crosby overload is at its pinnacle and whoever states that this is a great decision is firmly plugged right up Crosby's ******* and is doing exactly what NBC and Bettman want. So keep it up sheep.

Awesome, can't wait to watch this. Two great young teams with two generational talents. Should be fun.

For the record - I haven't given you a single negative... if anything, this should just go to show you what others think of the way you are conducting yourself on this board...