Hurricanes sign Kylington, Smith to professional tryout deals

The Carolina Hurricanes announced on Wednesday that they have agreed to terms on professional tryout agreements with defenseman Oliver Kylington and forward Givani Smith.

Kylington, a left-handed defenseman who was chosen in the second round of the 2015 NHL Draft by the Calgary Flames and has also spent time with the Colorado Avalanche and Anaheim Ducks, has 60 career NHL points in 220 career games.

The Swede had the best season of his career in 2021-2022, when he posted 31 points in 73 games with Calgary while skating to a plus-34 rating, but he missed the entirety of the 2022-2023 campaign and has played in just 52 NHL games since his career year.

Smith, a six-foot-two native of Toronto, was a second-round pick by the Detroit Red Wings in 2016. In 168 career NHL games, he’s produced 22 points on 9 goals and 13 assists.

Smith spent the first few seasons of his career with the Red Wings, but he moved on to the Florida Panthers in the 2022-2023 season. He then signed with the San Jose Sharks, where he spent the following year and the beginning of this past season before moving on to Colorado.

The two additions to Carolina’s training camp roster figure to compete for roster spots on a Stanley Cup contending club that could still use some depth.

The Hurricanes signed Mike Reilly as an instructed free agent to serve as the team’s seventh defenseman, but Kylington offers experience and a skill set that could push for a role as a No. 8, especially in a system known for getting the most out of defensemen.

Carolina’s forward unit looks quite full, as currently center Mark Jankowski or winger William Carrier figure to serve as the team’s 13th forward to begin the year, barring injuries in camp or the preseason.

Still, Smith’s physicality and prototypical bottom-six skill set could prove valuable as a depth addition to the club.

The Hurricanes will begin their preseason slate on September 22 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.