Sharks place Smith on waivers

Share

SAN JOSE – Sharks forward Ben Smith was placed on waivers Wednesday.

Smith, who never really seemed to get in head coach Pete DeBoer’s good graces from the start of training camp, has played in just six games. He's scoreless with a -1 rating while averaging just 5:59 of ice time.

Smith missed a total of 25 games with a concussion earlier this season, when he was struck in the head by a Marc-Edouard Vlasic shot in Brooklyn on Oct. 17. He has been a healthy scratch for the last 10 games.

“When I took the job, we came into camp and gave everybody a clean slate. Circumstances kind of played into Ben’s situation," DeBoer said. "He got hurt early, dealt with the concussion. ... By the time he was healthy again the league was at full pace and it was tough to get him back in. I think that set him back.

"In a perfect world you’re healthy from day one, you make an impression, and you’re off and rolling. I don’t think it’s anyone’s fault, I just think it was circumstances, and that’s where we’re at.”

The 27-year-old Smith is a pending unrestricted free agent with a salary of $1.5 million. He was acquired last season from Chicago in exchange for Andrew Desjardins on March 2.

According to generalfanager.com, if Smith clears waivers, as expected, the Sharks will get $950,000 in salary cap savings.

Contact Us