Cole Smith is the biggest bargain we could ask for
I have also come around on Cole Smith. I have always appreciated the guy's hustle and motor. Never questioned that from the first games I saw him play with the Predators. My beef was that he's probably easily replaceable if he ends up wanting too much money.
Fast forward to now, and he's making a $1 million cap hit this year on a two-year contract he signed back in January of 2024. We're right around that same time of year when he could get another similar style contract extension, but a bump in per year money. He's definitely earned that and I wouldn't be mad about it all.
The thing about Smith is he does so many things that go unnoticed if you're just casually watching and missing everything but the goals and scoring chances. He forechecks like his hair is on fire, he leaves it all out there, and not enough can be said about his play on the penalty kill.
For a $1M cap hit? Just an insanse bargain, and I think you can easily get him signed for another two years without breaking the bank, but keeping the player happy to stay and be a part of the rebuild.