The Blue Jackets will take a close look at a veteran defenseman during training camp in September.
The team announced Aug. 19 that Brendan Smith, 36, will open camp in Columbus on a professional tryout offer. Smith, a left-handed shooter, has played parts of 14 NHL seasons and filled a depth role last season for the Dallas Stars.
Mar 25, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Dallas Stars defenseman Brendan Smith (2) before the game against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Smith added one goal, five assists and six points with a -9 plus/minus and served 33 minutes in the penalty box during 32 games for the Stars. Should he make the Blue Jackets’ roster, Smith will fill a veteran depth role handled last season by Jack Johnson, who signed a PTO Aug. 11 with the Minnesota Wild.
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Smith, who is 6 feet 2 and 200 pounds, plays a rugged style. He’s logged 726 NHL games and compiled a career scoring line of 39-105-144 for the Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, Carolina Hurricanes and Stars.
Blue Jackets reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com and @BrianHedger.bsky.social
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Blue Jackets sign Brendan Smith to professional tryout offer