The Vegas Golden Knights have bolstered their roster with the acquisition of forward Cole Smith from the Nashville Predators. This trade, confirmed by both teams, brings a player with a strong defensive presence and a relentless work ethic to the Golden Knights' lineup. Smith, a 30-year-old winger, has a $1MM cap hit until the end of the season, after which he'll become an unrestricted free agent. His defensive skills and ability to drop the gloves when needed make him a valuable addition to the team.
Smith's journey to the NHL has been an unlikely one. Undrafted from the University of North Dakota, he caught on with the Predators, even spending time in the ECHL in 2020-21. However, he truly broke out with the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals in 2021-22, showcasing his scoring ability with 42 points. This performance earned him a full-time spot with the Predators, where he played 271 games and notched 62 points. Smith's efforts, though rarely reflected on the score sheet, have been valuable to the team.
The trade also involves the Golden Knights acquiring 24-year-old defense prospect Christoffer Sedoff from Nashville. Sedoff, an undrafted player from the WHL, has played the past three seasons with the AHL's Henderson. With limited NHL upside as a pending restricted free agent, Sedoff will likely finish the spring with the Milwaukee Admirals.
This trade marks a significant shift for the Predators, who are now missing two vital pieces from their bottom six. The team's focus has shifted to their more attractive pieces, such as Ryan O'Reilly, Michael Bunting, and Erik Haula. With a strong return in deals so far, including six third-round picks between 2027 and 2028, the Predators are looking to the future. Reid Schaefer, acquired from Edmonton in the Mattias Ekholm deal, is expected to slot in for Smith for the rest of the campaign.
The Golden Knights, on the other hand, will face the Detroit Red Wings in the Motor City tomorrow, with Smith likely making his debut on Friday night against the Minnesota Wild, where he'll face off against his former linemate Michael McCarron. The trade was first reported by TSN's Darren Dreger, who broke the news on social media.
