Rangers, Brendan Smith agree to $17M, 4-year deal
Brendan Smith signed a $17 million, four-year deal with the Rangers, solidifying New York’s blue line and setting the market for free agent defensemen.
Smith, 28, would have been one of the top blue liners available in free agency after the Rangers acquired him as a rental at the trade deadline from the Detroit Red Wings.
Smith had three goals and six assists for nine points in 51 games, averaging a career-high 19:14 of ice time.
A left-shooting defenseman who can play the right side, the Toronto native has strong puck-possession numbers and will be a top-four player for New York.
The 45-year-old forward tweeted that no teams have called about signing him when the free-agent period in the NHL opens on Saturday.
Mr. Semenko was the bodyguard for “The Great One” for parts of 10 seasons with the Oilers in the World Hockey Association and NHL.
The Oilers placed forward Benoit Pouliot on unconditional waivers with the purposes of buying out his contract.