The Nashville Predators declared Craig Smith a piece of their franchise’s core when they signed him to a 5-year deal entering last season, and he’s managed to prove his importance to Smashville, though his career is following an intriguing trajectory.
The team clearly missed the forward’s ability to manufacture momentum in the offensive zone during last year’s postseason, going a winless 0-3 without Smith on the ice when he missed time with a lower body injury. Even though his play only managed to record two playoff points, the disappearance of his motor was a glaring deficiency in Smashville’s game.