Former Wisconsin defenseman Brendan Smith has signed a two-year contract extension with the Detroit Red Wings, avoiding salary arbitration in the process.
According to TSN's Darren Dreger -- and confirmed by Detroit GM Ken Holland -- the deal will pay Smith $2.525 million over the next two seasons. Smith's new contract will carry a cap hit of $1,262,500 in both years of the deal.
The new contract will be a nice raise over the $875,000 base deal Smith earned under his previous three-year entry-level contract with the Red Wings.
Detroit avoids salary arbitration with Brendan Smith. They agree to a 2 year deal. $1.25 mil and $1.275 mil.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 15, 2013
A native of Mimico, Ontario, Smith played three seasons for the Badgers, which culminated in a trip to the 2010 Frozen Four where Wisconsin eventually fell to Boston College in the national championship. Smith was named an All-American and Hobey Baker Top-10 finalist in his final season in Madison.
Detroit used its first-round pick to select Smith in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. A 6-foot-2, 198-pound defenseman, Smith has recorded one goal and 14 assists in 48 career NHL games for the Red Wings.
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