VANCOUVER, British Columbia — It was just around this time last year when Brendan Smith’s brutal season was being put out of its misery.
The Rangers defenseman’s first full year in the organization ended early after an injury at AHL Hartford, 11 games into his tour of the minors that began when he went through waivers unclaimed in February. It was hardly what either side had in mind when he signed a four-year, $17.4 million contract, and the nightmare season had Smith doubting himself and his future.
“I felt like I wasn’t good enough and I wouldn’t be able to get back,” Smith said Wednesday before playing 19:01 in a 4-1 Rangers loss to the Canucks at Rogers Arena.