The New York Rangers and Brendan Smith have been having their struggles throughout the 2017-2018 season. Despite the Rangers giving Smith a four-year, $17.4 million deal, he came to camp out of shape, underperformed, was a healthy scratch, and was ultimately placed on waivers.
At first glance, this seems to be an awful deal by the organization. $17.4 million to a man who has done nothing but disappoint this season? What blasphemy!
But, there is a great degree of merit to this deal. Throughout the second half of last season, Smith proved to be a very valuable top-four defenseman.