On Tuesday night, Cole Smith, a forward formerly with the Nashville Predators, was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights just days before the NHL trading deadline on Friday. Smith, who hails from Brainerd, Minnesota, brings experience and a physical presence to Vegas as the team battles for playoff positioning.
Performance and Contract Details of Smith This Season
This season, Smith has registered six goals and a total of 10 points over 42 games with Nashville. His 119 hits rank second on the Predators, underscoring his role as a gritty winger who is also frequently deployed on the penalty kill. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 195 pounds, Smith is in the final year of his two-year, $2 million contract and will become a free agent this summer.
Team Standings and Playoff Context
The Vegas Golden Knights currently lead the Pacific Division with 70 points, while the Predators sit five points behind the final wild card spot, striving to secure a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This trade aims to bolster Vegas’s roster as they pursue postseason success.
Smith’s Journey from College to NHL Veteran
Smith began his hockey career with minimal recruiting attention after coming from the Manitoba Junior Hockey League to the University of North Dakota (UND). Over four seasons with the Fighting Hawks, he compiled 24 goals and 51 points in 137 games. After completing his senior year, Smith signed as an undrafted free agent with Nashville and has since spent six NHL seasons exclusively with the Predators, appearing in 271 regular-season games with 23 goals and 62 points.
Significance of Smith’s Move to Vegas
With this trade, Smith is poised to become the first former UND player to skate for the Vegas Golden Knights, a franchise established in 2017. His arrival adds depth and experience to a Golden Knights team leading their division and looking to make a strong playoff run.
