Nashville Predators: Top-10 Rookie Seasons in Franchise History

Craig Smith, 2011-12

Rookie Numbers: 72 games, 14 goals, 22 assists, 36 points, 6 power play goals, 12th in Calder

As fourth-round pick from 2009, can you really ask for anything more from what we got from Craig Smith with the Predators?

Smith wasted no time at all jumping into the NHL and making his presence known out of the University of Wisconsin. He spent just four games in the AHL with the Milwaukee Adimirals, but did get plenty of time with the Team USA national team.

In his rookie season Smith scored 14 goals, which was good for ninth on the team. It was second season in a row that the Predators got past the first round and were starting to build into a deep playoff contender.

Smith had limited time on the ice at just over 14 minutes per game, but also contributed in the faceoff circle and defensively. He was one of those rookies that made the transition look seamless, which is so difficult to do for even the most talented of prospects.

It’s still hard for me to cope with losing Smith over the 2020 offseason for a contract that the Predators could’ve afforded. Either way, he’s overlooked as having one of the better rookie campaigns in team history.