TRAVERSE CITY – Brendan Smith was a dynamic offensive defenseman before arriving in Detroit, where former coach Mike Babcock demanded a safe, simple game.
Could Smith's skill set be implemented for more production by new coach Jeff Blashill? It's possible. Smith is a tremendous skater who likes to rush the puck, but Blashill made it clear he's not giving him carte blanche to run amok in the offensive zone.
"You want to accentuate your positives, and he's got an ability, I think, in the offensive zone to be active to shoot the puck, to make the plays happen from the tops of circles down," Blashill said.