New Jersey Devils player profile: Brendan Smith

The 33-year-old will add some depth, versatility, and sandpaper to the lineup.

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New Jersey Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald has been a busy man this summer, adding five established NHLers to better support the promising young core in place.

I have already profiled newcomers Ondrej Palat, Erik Haula, John Marino, and Vitek Vanecek.

Last but not least – actually, probably least – I’m going to zero in on Brendan Smith.

Let’s dive into how he performed last season in Carolina and the outlook for his debut campaign with the Devils.

Counting stats: 45 games played, eight points (four goals, four assists), 13:55 average time on ice

5v5 underlyings: 0.73 points/60, +0.61 CF% Rel, -2.77 GF% Rel, -1.19 xGF% Rel, 98.8

2021-22 review

Brendan Smith enjoyed somewhat of a bounce back campaign with the Carolina Hurricanes; at least on the defensive side of things.

Smith posted his best relative outputs in years with regards to limiting shot attempts and goals.

The Hurricanes conceded 3.7 fewer shot attempts per 60 with Smith on the ice, his best total since 2018-19.

Smith also helped the Hurricanes trim off 0.35 goals per 60, marking his second best output over the last six years.

It’s not as if Smith was a world beater – or faced stiff competition – but he proved he can still contribute in a depth role at this level; he’s not just someone you plug your nose and play in order to get physicality into the lineup.

While his even-strength defense was competent, he was most impactful killing penalties. Evolving-Hockey had his PK defense worth +1.2 goals above replacement, which was the best of his entire career.

He averaged only a little more than a minute of PK work per game but the numbers he put up were mind-numbingly good; and best in class on a Hurricanes team that excelled in shorthanded situations.

Smith was mostly used as a 6D but he occasionally dressed up front as well. All things considered, he played his role pretty well.

Fun facts