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Former Devils Defender Lands Pto With Division Rival

Former New Jersey Devil Brendan Smith is looking to continue his NHL career.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that they have signed Smith to a professional tryout (PTO) contract.

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We’ve signed veteran D Brendan Smith to a professional tryout contract.https://t.co/ky8vZ92LlF
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) August 19, 2025

Smith spent this past season as a depth defenseman for the Dallas Stars. In 32 games with the Central Division club, he recorded one goal, six assists, 33 penalty minutes, and 41 blocks.

Before joining the Stars for the 2024-25 campaign, Smith played the two previous seasons with the Devils. In 123 games as a Devil over that span, he recorded five goals, 15 assists, 20 points, 124 penalty minutes, 219 hits, and an even plus/minus rating. Most of his offense with the Devils came during the 2023-24 campaign, as he had five goals, 10 assists, and 15 points in 63 games that season.

If Smith impresses during training camp for the Blue Jackets and earns a contract for the season, he would give Columbus another experienced depth blueliner to work with. In 726 career NHL games over 14 seasons, he has recorded 39 goals, 144 points, 787 penalty minutes, and 972 hits.

Devils Forward Named Top Breakout CandidateNHL.com has been highlighting one player from each team who has the potential to break out during the 2025-26 season. They revealed their pick for the New Jersey Devils on August 17, and they went with an interesting forward.

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Former Devils Defender Lands Pto With Division Rival

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