The Ottawa Senators have announced that defenseman Jason Smith, a former captain in both Edmonton and Philadelphia, has retired.
Smith was well-loved here in Edmonton, where he spent the bulk of his career and served as captain for six years (2001-07) – becoming the longest serving captain in Oilers history. There was never any question about either his courage or his character, and it was those two attributes that really defined his game. During his career he was one of the NHL’s best shot-blockers and hitters.
Career Achievements
- Drafted 18th overall, 1992
- WHL All-Rookie Team, 1992
- WHL First All-Star Team, 1993
- Canadian Major Junior First All-Star Team, 1993
- Bill Hunter Trophy (Top WHL Defenseman), 1993
- Won a gold medal with the Canadian WJC team, 1993
- Won a Calder Cup with the Albany River Rats, 1995
- Played in his 1000th NHL game, 2009
- Captained his junior team, his AHL team, and two NHL teams
Smith led every team he captained on lengthy post-season runs, and won it all at the AHL level after coming back from a severe knee injury that cost him most of the season. Another knee injury cost him the final eighteen games of his final NHL season, and may have played a factor in his retirement.
Thanks, and Good luck Gator!
That's a great tribute given to Smith. I didn't realize they had done it. Nice touch.
Did you see this, Steve Staios?!?
Sad news for oilers fans
Ottawa must be really happy, as they free up cap space!!
This is interesting, as TSN reports that with Gator's $2.6m off the books, they can keep Heatley if needed.
Congrats to Gator!
I laughed at the comment about Staios, though!
Gator for Niinimaa…
I'm not here to argue the merits of the trade. I don't want to compare salary, age, or skill… I get it. I really do…
But little by little, moves like that are what cost this team it's identity.
Chris wrote:
What?
@ Chris:
you mean for Pitkannen….. Smith and Lupul for Pitkannen…. into Cole… uh.
Luongo just signed a twelve year extension.
@ Travis Dakin:
@ Ogden Brother:
Yes. Sorry. Pitkanen. Niinimaa had more "jam"…
Travis Dakin wrote:
Yup, and Cole into Patty O.
What the oilers arent bringing him back ? Perhaps he could be a pp coach .AHHH good luck gator great career and a fine oiler .
Enjoy your retirement Gator, you are one class guy.
Luongo gets twelve years for a reported 64 million: so a cap hit of under 5 1/2 million. I don't know how the contract is structured, but if it's seriously frontloaded: it doen't pass the smell test. The guy is already thirty… Is he seriously going to play into his forties? Isn't the league already "investigating" the Hossa contract? I'm all for clever cap management, but these kind of deals will need to be eliminated the next CBA.
Love ya Gator. Best of luck.
Soon to be employed here in the front office?
Tombo wrote:
Look. I understand that the Oilers now have a good young player under contract by moving a now retired bottom pair d-man. I know that smart organizations try and keep their rosters full of players who are either in their prime or shortly entering it. Having said that, after watching the Smith tribute video again (for the first time since the night it was played at RX1)… I was filled with nostalgia for something that has been lost… I miss watching Oiler players actually punish the opposition physically. That's all. Pitkanen for Smith is kind of snapshot of the way this team has drifted since the 06 run… Skill without will is like having a Porshe without gas.
@ Hoss:
Why ruin a good legacy by assuming he will be an equally effective front office Oiler? This kind of thinking has hurt more than it has helped in our last decade.
@ Hoss:
Or in Ottawa. I hope Smith wasn't pressured into retiring before he was ready to get the Sens out of a cap jam…
DAMN YOU DANNY HEATLEY!!!
One NHL play-off goal in his whole career – but what a goal it was!!!
Good luck Gator – one of the old school.
Chris wrote:
Yup, I hope they tighten that loop whole up. We are basically dealing with a soft cap at this point.
Chris wrote:
Quote of the day.