Latest report delivers shocking update on Avalanche veteran forward
Photo credit: Dean Tait / Sport Shots
The Colorado Avalanche have stunned fans with a surprising announcement involving veteran forward Givani Smith, signaling an unexpected turn in the 26-year-old's career and raising serious questions about his future in the NHL moving forward.
Smith appeared in a total of 29 games this season, suiting up for four different teams. He began the year with the San Jose Sharks, where he played in six contests.
Report reveals update on Avalanche veteran.
Evan Liu from Hockey Mountain High writes that Smith became the second Avalanche player to wear No. 55 this season, but like many others, his stint with the team was brief.
Smith was included in a trade that brought him to the Avalanche alongside new starting goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood and several draft picks. In exchange, the San Jose Sharks received Alexander Georgiev, forward Nikolai Kovalenko, and additional draft selections from Colorado.
The 27-year-old saw his most NHL action this season with the Avalanche, appearing in seven games, just one more than previous high, but failed to make a meaningful impact.
"His only statistics of note were eight penalty minutes and finishing with a -2. His time in the NHL was short-lived, as after seven games he was sent down to the AHL with the Colorado Eagles." -Liu
With the Eagles, Smith notched his first point with an assist, but he once again slipped down the depth chart. He played just six games in total and was a healthy scratch for the remainder of his time there.
"Smith was then involved with his second trade of the season. He was shipped off to the Philadelphia Flyers, where the Avalanche got fan-favorite Erik Johnson in return. Interestingly, the two had fought earlier in the season." -Liu
The Jamaican-Canadian forward didn't dress for the Avalanche late in the season. Instead, he reached double digits in appearances with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the AHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers.
Over 10 games, he scored his lone goal of the season and added an assist. He also experienced playoff action, appearing in seven Calder Cup playoff games where he recorded no points, accumulated 19 penalty minutes, and posted a -4 rating.
"Smith is really only good for providing a big body when needed, but will also cause some troubles with penalty minutes and being on the ice for goals against." -Liu
Smith has completed his two-year contract and is now seeking a new opportunity for next season, one that will most likely come at the AHL level once again.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 20 | 36 ANSWERS Latest report delivers shocking update on Avalanche veteran forward Do you think forward Givani Smith has a future as a full-time NHL player? | ||
| yes | 10 | 27.8 % |
| no | 26 | 72.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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