What We’re Hearing About Devils Brendan Smith

The New Jersey Devils are going through a bit of a makeover this summer. In fact, they’ve already started by acquiring their desired goaltender, solidifying their crease presence before we even got to the 2024 NHL Draft. There’s expected to be more activity leading up to the weekend and perhaps it will even go down on the draft floor. Internally, however, there are still some decisions to be made, including with veteran defenseman/winger, Brendan Smith.

According to a source, Smith is likely to reach July 1st to become an unrestricted free agent. He was a Devils trade candidate at the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline.

After the 2023-24 season came to a close, Smith admitted he hadn’t had any conversations with Devils management about a future with the organization. The 35-year-old veteran explained he was hopeful this wasn’t his last NHL season, and although he loved his time in New Jersey, he wants to remain in the NHL more than anything.

“They probably have their pecking order and hopefully there’ll be some talk and we’ll see where I stand,” Smith responded when asked about pending free agent status. “I love it here, I do want to be back. But more than that, I want to be back in the NHL. So we’ll see how that goes.”

It doesn’t sound like a return to New Jersey is completely out of the question, however. Although Smith might reach July 1st, a second source explained that if Smith does test free agency, that’s his call, not the Devils’.

By the sound of it, there appears to be a path for Smith to stay in New Jersey. What that path is, however, is uncertain. Speculation on my part, but perhaps Smith believe’s he can do better than whatever the Devils might have discussed with him already about sticking around.

The Devils just re-signed defenseman Nick DeSimone to a one-year, one-way contract on Tuesday. They’re also linked to defenseman Brett Pesce in free agency, and have Dougie Hamilton returning at full health next season. Perhaps the DeSimone one-way ticket was indicative that the Devils believe he can stick around as the full-time seventh defenseman moving forward. Regardless, there could be a handful of other moves between now and July 1st which might further dictate Smith’s status with the Devils.

In 63 games in 2023-24, Smith scored five goals and 15 points and registered 117 hits. AFP Analytics projects Smiths next contract to be one-year, worth $1,126,400.