Badgers In The NHL Update

Craig Smith Leads NHL Rookies In Scoring

Craig Smith had a tough decision over the summer. While he had planned to come back to the University of Wisconsin for his junior season, the opportunity to immediately step into an NHL lineup with the Nashville Predators was too much to pass up.

Certainly seems like he's made the correct decision so far. The Madison native leads all NHL rookies in scoring through 17 games with 7 goals and 7 assists. The 21 year old has played both wing and center, most recently having an opportunity to center the top line while David Legwand is out with an injury.

Brendan Smith To Make NHL Debut?

Brendan Smith has recently finished serving his suspension for a hit on Chicago's Ben Smith from the preseason. With Ian White's injury, Smith has been called up by the Redwings and will be with the team for the rest of their current road trip. There is a strong chance that Smith could make his NHL debut on Thursday when Detroit travels to San Jose.

Pavelski Takes Game To The Next Level

Joe Pavelski has had an outstanding NHL career to this point, and has greatly the exceeded expectations of being a 7th round draft pick. However he's always been overshadowed in San Jose on teams that have been loaded offensively. While he had been given time on on the power play, he was primarily used as a third line center.

With the off-season trades between San Jose and the Minnesota Wild that saw former Badger Dany Heatley end up in St. Paul, Pavelski has been given an opportunity to play on a line with future Hall of Famer Joe Thornton. To this point, the Polish Prince has yet to disappoint. The former Badger leads the Sharks in goals with 9 and points with 17.

Elliott Up To His Old Tricks

Former Badger net-minder Brian Elliott has had an up and down professional career since graduating from Wisconsin in 2007. Elliott was up and down his first few years between the NHL's Ottawa Senators and their top farm club. Last season the Senators traded Elliott to the Colorado Avalanche, but he struggled through 12 games in Denver.

Elliott signed a free agent contract this past off-season with the St. Louis Blues, and beat out Ben Bishop for the right to back up Jaroslav Halak. However, apparently Elliott has set his sights on taking over in the crease for the Blues full time. Through 9 games, Elliott leads the league in GAA and is second in Save % among qualified goalies. He's also played significantly better than Halak.

**=No longer on roster