Maple Leafs sign Jerred Smithson

New Toronto Maple Leafs forward Jerred Smithson is one of my all-time favorite former Predators, and one of the Preds I've been most disappointed to see Nashville part with. He's a great defensive forward who actually has some offensive ability (unlike too many other forwards in the NHL right now). Best of all, he's a player that truly puts in a full effort every time he's on the ice. Nobody should be disappointed by what he brings to the Maple Leafs. Definitely not their coaches and management. And hopefully not their fickle fans.

The only reason the Predators let Smithson go was because of their big shake-up via free-agency this past off-season; after which they had to make room for their new signings. In the end the team had to make the difficult decision to part with either Smithson or Nick Spaling, another great defensive forward, and an excellent penalty-killer. I assume being younger and cheaper were the deciding factors in keeping Spaling over Smithson but. whatever the case, Spaling's play this season hasn't led to any regrets.

However, why no other NHL team picked up Smithson before now, I have no idea. If he doesn't end up pushing someone else off the Leafs roster when their injured players return, Smithson at least gives Toronto a very nice asset to move in a trade to one of a number of struggling teams in the league. If he ends up moving on to one of those teams, they'll be getting a player whose dependability and consistency can only help.

Anyhoo...