A new coach for the Detroit Red Wings might mean a big opportunity for defenseman Brendan Smith.
Rarely did Smith receive power-play time under Mike Babcock, who left this off-season to coach the Toronto Maple Leafs. New Wings coach Jeff Blashill has said he’s open to giving Smith an opportunity on the power play, an area in which Smith excelled in college.
Smith, 26, has one power-play goal in 195 career games with the Wings. He scored 11 power-play goals in 2 1/2 seasons with the Grand Rapids Griffins in the American Hockey League.
“Sometimes change is fun,” Smith said Tuesday, after the final informal skate at Joe Louis Arena before players headed to Traverse City for training camp.