Detroit — The rebuild on the fly just got more vigorous, amid clear signs it may take more time than forecast.
For a decade, Brendan Smith was part of the Red Wings’ future.
A mobile, puck-moving defender who skates like the wind, the Wings drafted Smith in the first round four seasons before Brian Rafalski retired and five before Nicklas Lidstrom followed.
It figured he would be ripe, just about in time.
Smith was good.
The wind turned out to be what the wind is, at times, less controlled than desired. And the giveaways still occasionally distress.