Scouting in the NHL is always a complicated process, and the draft outside of the first round has shockingly low success rates. Other times you look for players who haven't been drafted and sign them as free agents out of college. That's how the Nashville Predators found a bottom six staple Cole Smith.
Smith is now heading into his fourth season as a full-time NHLer, and over parts of six seasons, he's amassed 229 games. He's currently playing out the end of 2 year $2 million dollar deal that was signed during the 2023-2024 season, a time of hope that was almost immeditatlly dashed by the 2024-2025 season. Smith is a free agent to be, so where does that leave him?
Cole Smith is an everyday player for the Nashville Predators that plays like sandpaper
Smith's game is very straightforward. He's going to throw his solid frame (6'3", 195 pounds) around in the offensive zone, play conservatively and avoid mistakes in his defensive zone, and help out on the penalty kill. No more, no less, but you're getting all out effort and reliablity for every game he's able to suit up for.
Luckily, he's been durable. playing 69, 80, and 70 games over the last three years. He'll be able to chip in offensively, too. His NHL career has been entirely with the Predators and has resulted in 52 points (17 goals, 35 assists) over his time. This isn't much, but for a guy who plays around 13:30 a night, and starts 80% of his time on the ice in the defensive zone.
His points per 60, and possession metrics like Corsi and Fenwick aren't very good, You wouldn't expect them to be, and frankly it isn't a very valuable measuring tool for a player like Smith. His quality minutes and sandpaper style mean more than what he puts up offensively for now.
If it all changes, Cole Smith could be a trade candidate for Nashville Predators
Now, this is all subject to change because it's the NHL, and Smith is on an expiring contract. That means he's among the likes of Michael Bunting, Erik Haula, and Michael McCarron as easily tradeable, to help bolster a bad team, or as roster pieces to fill spots on bad teams that are losing a quality player.
Smith's contract, especially, is just a million, which is something that basically every team in the league can afford and take on if needed. Smith's style and ability to play up when an offense is running successfully. The 2023-24 bump proved that he can contribute in a bottom-six role, and that 20 points isn't a crazy expectation.
If Smith plays his regular game and is able to push his shot output somewhere near his 2023-24 totals, then he'll have a good Predators year and play his way into an attractive trade situation. Either way, Smith has value for the Predators, no matter what ends up happening for the season. How Barry Trotz uses that value will be part of showing if he's really cut out for this GM job as the job and title get heavier this year.