Red Wings trade defenseman Brendan Smith to Rangers

Photo by Jen Hefner/MiHockey

 

By @StefanKubus – 

The Red Wings have made their first big move as the NHL’s March 1 trade deadline approaches.

Defenseman Brendan Smith, who was set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, has been dealt to the New York Rangers for a pair of draft picks: a second-round choice in 2018 and a third-round selection in 2017. That gives the Red Wings five picks in the first three rounds of the 2017 draft.

Smith, 28, was on the last year of a two-year deal with a $2.75 million cap hit per season. Originally a first-round draft pick of the Wings in 2007, Smith had spent his first seven NHL seasons with the Red Wings organization.

In 33 games this season, Smith has compiled two goals and five points. In 291 career games, the Mimico, Ontario native has posted 15 goals and 67 points.

Smith played his collegiate hockey with the University of Wisconsin from 2007-09.

This comes after the Wings had dealt Tomas Jurco to the Blackhawks for a third-round pick on Feb. 24.