Bump 20 Report post Posted May 27, 2010 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. 4 Jasper84, HankthaTank, CanadaBoy and 1 other reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Datsyukian Geek 2 Report post Posted May 27, 2010 I can't wait to see how he does in Traverse City. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HankthaTank 1,100 Report post Posted May 27, 2010 Shall be there in TC to check this out . Well done on the post! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Lidstromboli Report post Posted May 27, 2010 nice Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
F2B&G 15 Report post Posted May 27, 2010 I'm no Bucky fan, but I watched him play four times this year and I have to admit he's a natural at QBing the powerplay. A couple seasons in the AHL will hopefully polish up the rest of his game. Above all, I'm looking forward to following his progress with the Griffins this fall, instead of seeing him in a Wisconsin sweater again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lidstrom for life 20 Report post Posted May 27, 2010 I have insanely high expectations for this kid. I will never forget watching him absolutely dominate in that frozen four game against RIT. He had 5 assists, it was absolutely incredible. I am really excited to see how he does in Grand Rapids. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029 Report post Posted May 27, 2010 I've been excited to see what this kid can do.I've never seen him play before and i look forward to watching him in Traverse City and Grand Rapids. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted May 27, 2010 Apparently this kid used to think he was God's gift to hockey? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mindfly Report post Posted May 27, 2010 Apparently this kid used to think he was God's gift to hockey? So you mean he's Dick Axelsson #2 ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SweWings 45 Report post Posted May 27, 2010 (edited) So you mean he's Dick Axelsson #2 ? No... Pretty sure only Dick Axelsson can reach Dick Axelsson's level of Douchehood. Edited May 27, 2010 by SweWings Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yzerman#19 17 Report post Posted May 27, 2010 As slowly as the Wings are developing players we'll likely see this kid in a Winged wheel around 2017. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jesusberg 1,256 Report post Posted May 27, 2010 Apparently this kid used to think he was God's gift to hockey? Watching him over his collegiate career, this has been my main concern. He needs to build up his defensive game, but even more than that he needs to build some character. I hope that jumping into the AHL and being under the watchful eye of Wings' management he'll stay humble. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Lidstromboli Report post Posted May 27, 2010 Apparently this kid used to think he was God's gift to hockey? well he is he's better than lidstrom at least Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RusDRW 155 Report post Posted May 28, 2010 I think that DRW management need to speed up a bit prospects development process... If Brandan looks fine, insert him into the line-up. Put Tatar into too. What are we going to lose anyway? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
robb himself 143 Report post Posted May 28, 2010 as soon as rafalskis contract runs out...this kid will be a wing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broken 16 381 Report post Posted May 28, 2010 (edited) Hmmmmmm... So how long should we wait before putting the unfair expectation of being Lidstrom's heir apparent on him. I'm game. Edited May 28, 2010 by Broken 16 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cjm502 165 Report post Posted May 28, 2010 This kid has serious talent and I feel comfortable saying he will be a top 4 guy for us some day. His offensive potential is sick, and his weak defense is said to be much better than it has been previous years. His production has been on a sharp increase and shouldnt slow down for a few years. Seriously, talk about a future PP quarterback. Now time to get off topic. I say we will be seeing Lashoff on the Wings within the next few years. Lashoff is probably my favorite defensive prospect right now. He has stepped up his game every time he played for the Griffins and is a proven playoff performer. One guy you simply cant ignore anymore is Adam Almqvist. He is small weak and slow, but was a monster with HV71. This is definitely one of our famous late round gems, I think he might have a solid NHL career ahead of him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted May 28, 2010 Watching him over his collegiate career, this has been my main concern. He needs to build up his defensive game, but even more than that he needs to build some character. I hope that jumping into the AHL and being under the watchful eye of Wings' management he'll stay humble. Him, Ferraro and Axelsson will be the 'hotshots' of the franchise players. Naw but I think it's okay to be a little cocky every now and again. I have no idea how bad it is for him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newfy 695 Report post Posted May 28, 2010 Him, Ferraro and Axelsson will be the 'hotshots' of the franchise players. Naw but I think it's okay to be a little cocky every now and again. I have no idea how bad it is for him. My brother has been to parties that Stamkos was at in Sarnia and said he was the cockiest guys he's met. Cocky isn't bad at all, cocky just got 51 goals this season. This kid has serious talent and I feel comfortable saying he will be a top 4 guy for us some day. His offensive potential is sick, and his weak defense is said to be much better than it has been previous years. His production has been on a sharp increase and shouldnt slow down for a few years. Seriously, talk about a future PP quarterback. Now time to get off topic. I say we will be seeing Lashoff on the Wings within the next few years. Lashoff is probably my favorite defensive prospect right now. He has stepped up his game every time he played for the Griffins and is a proven playoff performer. One guy you simply cant ignore anymore is Adam Almqvist. He is small weak and slow, but was a monster with HV71. This is definitely one of our famous late round gems, I think he might have a solid NHL career ahead of him. Lashoff is the next Brad Stuart(kinda). He's big and hits hard but also has a bit of hands to him as well, I really think Lashoff is going to be good too. Now if he added some fighting to his book of tricks then he would be an even better prospect But seriously the guy can fight too he just doesn't do it much, maybe we'll see that change in GR Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted May 28, 2010 My brother has been to parties that Stamkos was at in Sarnia and said he was the cockiest guys he's met. Cocky isn't bad at all, cocky just got 51 goals this season. Lashoff is the next Brad Stuart(kinda). He's big and hits hard but also has a bit of hands to him as well, I really think Lashoff is going to be good too. Now if he added some fighting to his book of tricks then he would be an even better prospect But seriously the guy can fight too he just doesn't do it much, maybe we'll see that change in GR When it comes to fighting I think he's a guy who will only do it if absolutely necessary because he is a guy that coaches want on the ice and not in the box. That's what sucks about balancing that whole dimension. You want it to be a part of your game but you don't want to be taken out of the game. That's something we will definitely see Abdelkader struggle with this year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drake_Marcus 890 Report post Posted May 28, 2010 This kid has serious talent and I feel comfortable saying he will be a top 4 guy for us some day. His offensive potential is sick, and his weak defense is said to be much better than it has been previous years. His production has been on a sharp increase and shouldnt slow down for a few years. Seriously, talk about a future PP quarterback. Now time to get off topic. I say we will be seeing Lashoff on the Wings within the next few years. Lashoff is probably my favorite defensive prospect right now. He has stepped up his game every time he played for the Griffins and is a prover was a monster with HV71. This is definitely one of our famous late round gems, I think he might have a solid NHL career ahead of him. You can say that again-- he was a beast in the playoffs for HV71. I can't wait to see how he does next season. It'd be nice to get him over to Traverse City to see what he can do with the other prospects and to get him some serious tutoring at the gym. The only thing holding him back from the AHL is his lack of muscle. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted May 28, 2010 I feel pretty excited to see a lot of fresh new faces in GR and expect to see a more than fair amount of frustration at the same time as they struggle through growing pains. McCollum Pearce/Veteran UFA Veteran UFA-Pyett Smith-Lashoff Ehrhardt/Piche/UFA-Kolosov Veteran UFA-Veteran UFA-Mursak Tatar-Andersson-Coetzee Owens-Emmerton-Pare Oulahen-Raedeke-Vigilante Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Travis 576 Report post Posted May 28, 2010 Holland had mentioned on Power Play that they were looking to get him signed. Didn't realize he meant immediately, haha. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029 Report post Posted May 28, 2010 The future foundation is starting to be assembled.Kenny has signed this young kid and Mitchell Callahan. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newfy 695 Report post Posted May 28, 2010 When it comes to fighting I think he's a guy who will only do it if absolutely necessary because he is a guy that coaches want on the ice and not in the box. That's what sucks about balancing that whole dimension. You want it to be a part of your game but you don't want to be taken out of the game. That's something we will definitely see Abdelkader struggle with this year. Yeah and its fine if a good player can fight well but barely ever does but the fact that he can if he wants to adds a whole new dimension to his game. He's went a few pretty tough guys this year in the OHL and done well. Its kinda like Chara, he's one tough SOB but hardly fights, just when he does watch out if youre on the other end.(not saying Lashoff will be that good obviously) As for Abdelkader, I think we'll see him fight a lot this upcoming season since he'll be bottom 6 and Babcock wants him to fight. He'll for sure have that dimension of his game, especially while he's young and breaking into the league. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites