By Tom Mitsos –
TRAVERSE CITY – Brendan Smith could be taking on more responsibilities this season, and the 25-year-old is looking forward to the challenge.
During Red Wings training camp on Sunday at Centre ICE Arena, the defenseman said he will be getting some power play time during the preseason, which starts Monday night at Pittsburgh.
“I would love to play (on the power play), obviously,” Smith said, “It’s something that you have to earn. I’ll get to play some in the preseason, they have told me that, so that’s good. I have to deliver and do well, and hopefully, I can be there because I think I can make a difference.”
Smith played sparingly on the power play last season, averaging just 10 seconds per game on the man advantage, according to NHL.com.
Coach Mike Babcock said he would be giving Smith and the rest of the defensive prospects extra power-play time in the preseason.
“Well, we are for sure,” Babcoack said. “Him and we are going to give lots of guys a chance on the power play. We basically got 12 D we’re playing. We are just going to let them play, and they can figure it all out.”
Smith participated in the Red and White Game on Sunday, an intrasquad scrimmage. Smith and Team Red fell to Team White 3-2, after Joakim Andersson scored the game-winning shootout goal.
“It was good pace,” Smith said of the scrimmage. “I think what I saw every game was it got a little faster. (White team) had us on our heels at the start. It was a good turnout. I felt that the boys played really well, and we’re just excited to now play some preseason and get some of the guys back together and play some games.”
Smith played in 71 games last year, notching five goals, 14 assists, and a plus/minus of minus-2. He struggled out of the gate, but finished strong after being paired with Niklas Kronwall. Smith said playing with Kronwall helped him improve in the second half of the season.
“For me to watch him and play with him, I think it helped my progression,” Smith said. “That is something you want to do as a professional athlete, you want to continue to get better. You don’t want to plateau — I think that’s something you continue to strive to get better, and I think I did that.
“I was playing my best hockey in the playoffs.”
Babcock said Smith has some great qualities, but can get himself into trouble at times.
“Smitty is ultra-competitive, great skater,” Babcock said. “I think real good support on the rush. Where he gets himself in trouble is a big blunder once in a while. Well, the big blunder, when it goes in your net, it’s hard for you. What I like about him, in two days, I haven’t seen one of those blunders.”
It’s by no coincidence that both Smith and Babcock referenced Nicklas Lidstrom when speaking about how Smith can reach the next level as a defenseman.
“The greatest skill Nick Lidstrom had was patience,” Babcock said. “He just made the right play all the time, and when it came, he made the play. Most of us are so busy forcing things that we turn it over.”
Said Smith: “You’re always trying to strive to get better — that’s something we’re doing. It’s good to have that competition, it helps the collective group when you have competition and nobody is taking a day off. You got to stay that routine.
“Everybody talks about Nick Lidstrom, right? His routine, and how great he was day in, day out.”