Craig Smith Would Provide The Islanders Value
Last week, I wrote that Craig Smith would be a great value addition for the New York Islanders.
“Craig Smith will have a new team next season. ‘We’re going to make changes,’ said Nashville Predators general manager David Poile. ‘Right off the top, you’ve got two guys that are in our top-nine in Granlund and Smith that are not coming back, so that’s going to open up a couple spots for some other, younger guys.’ Enter the New York Islanders. They need scoring and Smith can put the puck in the net. The 2009 fourth-round pick has scored at least 18 goals in six of the last seven seasons, potentially providing Barry Trotz immense value on a line with Mathew Barzal, Brock Nelson or Jean-Gabriel Pageau.”
Smith has been one of the most underrated players in hockey over the last decade. He scored 18 goals and recorded 31 points for the Nashville Predators last season. If not for COVID-19, he would have scored 20 goals for the sixth time in his career. In 661 career games, Smith has recorded 162 goals and 330 points.
While Smith’s age (31) could deter the Islanders, he is still a very gifted skater. He plays well on both ends of the ice and provides above average defensive play to supplement his goal scoring abilities.
The 2009 fourth-round pick has played his entire career with the Predators and could benefit from a change of scenery. The Islanders, with an elite defensive unit and structured style, would be the perfect fit.
Smith will command a multi-year deal, but the price will not be too high. He made $4.25 million each of the previous five seasons and his agent, Kevin Magnuson, expects a similar deal.
“I think the number, because there are eight to 10 teams that have decent cap space, I think we won’t be too far off at the end of the day,” Magnuson said. “He’s not going to be signing any blockbuster deals, but at the same time, he’s going to be in the market or a little bit above it, I think.”
Assuming Craig Smith takes a lower deal due to the flat cap and COVID-19 pandemic, the Islanders could snag the scoring-winger for an affordable contract.
Projected Next Contract: three-year, $10 million contract
If you want to see five more Islanders free agent targets, click here!
