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Former Nashville Predators forward Craig Smith announces retirement after 14 seasons

Craig Smith, who played nine seasons with the Nashville Predators from 2011 to 2020 and was drafted by the team in 2009, has announced his retirement after 14 seasons. 

Magnuson Hockey Agency announced on Monday that Smith was retiring. He had played with the Predators, Boston Bruins, Washington Capitals, Dallas Stars, Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings. 

During his career, he recorded 220 goals, 232 assists, and 452 points over 987 games. He also played for the United States at the 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 IIHF World Championships, winning a bronze medal during the 2013 tournament. 

Smith was selected by the Predators, 98th overall in the 2009 NHL Draft, after scoring 48 points in 54 games with the Waterloo Blackhawks (USHL). He'd play two seasons at the University of Wisconsin before joining the Predators for the 2011-12 season. 

In his rookie year, Smith scored 22 points in 72 games. During his time with the Predators, Smith played in 661 regular-season games, scoring 330 points (162 goals and 168 assists).

Smith's best season came during the 2013-14 campaign, where he had 52 points (24 goals and 28 assists) in 79 games. He had another 50+ point season in 2017-18, scoring 51 points (25 goals and 26 assists) in 79 games. 

He played in 52 playoff games and scored 16 points (seven goals and nine assists), which included the Predators' 2017 run to the Stanley Cup Final. During that run, he scored a goal in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final in a 5-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. 

Prior to the start of the 2020-21 season, Smith announced that he would not be re-signing with the Predators, heading into free agency and eventually signing with the Boston Bruins. He'd play seven more seasons with five different teams. 

Smith ranks in a few spots in the Predators record books:

  • Games played: 661 (9th)
  • Goals: 162 (6th)
  • Points: 330 (7th)
  • Goals created: 133.7 (6th)
  • Plus/minus: 67 (3rd)
  • Even strength goals: 120 (4th)
  • Power play goals: 42 (T-5th)
  • Game winning goals: 22 (T-9th)
  • Shots: 1,694 (5th)

Smith is also infamously known for missing on an empty net scoring chance in a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Nov. 17, 2011. Smith shot the puck high above the empty net after skating all the way to the top of the goalie crease. The Predators still won the game, 4-1. 

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Kyle Schwarber, Pete Alonso among free agents Red Sox should prioritize

Kyle Schwarber, Pete Alonso among free agents Red Sox should prioritize originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Red Sox have been active this offseason. They’ve bolstered their pitching staff by trading for Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo, and they added infield depth by acquiring utility man Tristan Gray.

But with the MLB Winter Meetings underway, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow should consider some of the top options on the free-agent market. There are several players capable of filling the club’s biggest needs: a middle-of-the-order bat (or two), a No. 2 starter, and a left-handed reliever.

So, which free agents should the Red Sox prioritize? Here are six of the best fits available this winter:

Alex Bregman, 3B

Bregman opted out of the final two years of the three-year, $120 million contract he signed with the Red Sox last offseason. The 31-year-old was a great fit for Boston, serving as a significant defensive upgrade at third base while putting up strong offensive numbers when healthy. He also immediately made his presence felt as a respected veteran in the Red Sox clubhouse.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic recently reported that re-signing Bregman is a priority for Boston. That should come as no surprise. An All-Star for the third time in 2025, Bregman was an MVP frontrunner before he suffered a quad injury in May. He finished the campaign with a .273/.360/.462 slash line, 18 homers, and 62 RBI in 114 games.

Pete Alonso, 1B

The Red Sox must add some pop to the middle of their lineup this winter. A right-handed bat would be ideal, making Alonso the perfect fit.

The “Polar Bear” mashed 38 homers for the New York Mets last season. Not counting the abbreviated 2020 campaign, Alonso has hit at least 34 homers in each season of his seven-year career.

The Red Sox are among the teams Alonso is expected to meet with at the MLB Winter Meetings in Orlando. The 31-year-old would split time between first base and designated hitter in Boston.

Alonso earned his fifth career All-Star nod and appeared in all 162 games last season.

Kyle Schwarber, DH

The Red Sox never should have let Schwarber go in the 2022 offseason. They’ll have a chance to attone for that mistake this winter, with Schwarber joining Alonso as the top sluggers on the free-agent market.

Schwarber finished second in the 2025 National League MVP race after belting an NL-leading 56 homers and tallying an MLB-leading 132 RBI. Like Alonso, the 32-year-old played in all 162 games.

The Red Sox acquired Schwarber from the Washington Nationals at the 2021 trade deadline. The three-time All-Star played a huge role in the club’s unexpected run to the American League Championship Series. In 41 games with Boston, he hit seven homers and posted a .957 OPS.

Bo Bichette, INF

If the Red Sox fail to bring Bregman back, Rosenthal reports that “some with the club view Bo Bichette as an intriguing alternative.” It’s easy to see why.

Bichette, 28 in March, is coming off a bounce-back campaign with the Toronto Blue Jays. The two-time All-Star slashed .311/.357/.483 with 18 homers and 94 RBI in 139 games, and he stayed hot in the postseason to lead Toronto to its first World Series appearance since 1993.

With Trevor Story expected to remain Boston’s starting shortstop, Bichette would have to shift to either second or third base. He played five postseason games at second, but otherwise has never played either position in his MLB career.

Regardless, Bichette’s bat will make up for his defensive shortcomings if he can duplicate his 2025 performance.

Michael King, RHP

The Red Sox may be done adding to their rotation after trading for Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo. But if they turn to the free-agent market to add a No. 2 starter, King should be on their radar.

King, 30, performed like an ace upon joining the San Diego Padres. Primarily a reliever for his first five seasons with the New York Yankees, he posted a 2.95 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP over 31 games (30 starts) in 2024.

King’s 2025 campaign was marred by a nerve issue in his right shoulder and left knee inflammation. Those ailments limited him to only 15 starts, in which he amassed a 3.44 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over 73.1 innings. That should make him more affordable than the other top options on the market, with just as much upside.

Taylor Rogers, LHP

Boston’s bullpen was among MLB’s best in 2025, but it could use reinforcements after losing left-handers Brennan Bernardino, Chris Murphy, Steven Matz, and Justin Wilson. If Matz and/or Wilson don’t re-sign, the Red Sox will be in dire need of southpaws relievers. Veteran closer Aroldis Chapman is the only proven option on the current 40-man roster.

Rogers, 35 later this month, notched a 3.38 ERA and 1.38 WHIP with 53 strikeouts and 23 walks across 57 appearances (50.2 innings) with the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs last season. An All-Star in 2021, he’s among the top left-handed relievers available and has a solid track record over 10 MLB seasons.

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Evaluating The Growing List Of Rangers Foes

Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

It's become apparent that even making the 2026 Wild Card fraternity will be no easy task for the Rangers.

There are no more "Humpties" among the opposition. Meanwhile, the Rangers are solidifying with points in seven of their last eight games, but movement must continue forward.

In the past we always could count on Buffalo to be a goner by now; Columbus was no bargain and for the last three years – under coach Mike Sullivan – the Penguins were sliding around

OUT of contention when it counted. Sometimes even the Islanders faded in the stretch.

Last October the Sabres stumbled from the gate but looked better from last place. Pittsburgh has stunned everyone by catapulting into the higher reaches of the Met Division. New coach Dan Muse is responsible for that.

Ever the underdog, the Blue Jackets appear to have strengthened themselves and won't be dismissed from the battle.

Meanwhile, the Islanders with a new G.M. and some exciting kids – led by Dman Matthew Schaefer – rebound every time they appear doomed.

A Blueshirt Point Well-Taken While Blowing The DeuceA Blueshirt Point Well-Taken While Blowing The DeuceGame by game, the Rangers are perfecting the art of blowing overtime contests. They get the point; but is THAT the point? Nay, I say.

But The Maven believes that the Rangers will prevail and are hangin' in even without power play quarterback Adam Fox. In fact they're doing better without Fox than with him in the lineup; and what does that tell you.

"This race looks like it could go down to the wire," predicts The Old Scout. "As usual, injuries will be a factor, not to mention how the assorted young studs come through – or don't – for their respective teams.

Conclusion: This could be one of the tightest races to the wire in NHL annals!

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Arizona takes No. 1 in AP Top 25 men’s basketball poll, Iowa State up to No. 4, Gonzaga into top 10

Arizona took over the top spot in the AP Top 25 men's college basketball poll on Monday, a reward for a perfect start to the season that includes a quartet of wins against ranked foes, including a lopsided victory over Auburn last weekend. Purdue, which had spent the past three weeks at No. 1, slid to sixth following its 81-58 home loss to Iowa State and the entire poll got a shakeup as only two teams remained in the same spots from last week.

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Why Nick Robertson Is Coming Out Of Maple Leafs' Lineup For Calle Jarnkrok Against Lightning

The Toronto Maple Leafs are making one lineup change ahead of their Monday-night matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Drawing in: Calle Jarnkrok. Coming out: Nick Robertson.

Toronto's coming off a 2-1 shootout loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night, where the only goal they allowed came on the power play. Despite often having one of the best power plays in the NHL, the Lightning currently sit 24th in the league, operating at 15.9 percent.

Still, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube believes they're dangerous on the man advantage. And that's why he made the switch.

"It's a good power play over there," Berube said. "I just wanted an extra (penalty) killer in tonight. And that line with (Scott) Laughton, (Steven) Lorentz, and Jarnkrok, it's a good checking line for us, too. We'll need that."

Jarnkrok hasn't appeared in the Maple Leafs' lineup since Nov. 28, a 4-2 loss to the Washington Capitals. The 34-year-old has four goals in 18 games this season.

Robertson has appeared in all but one game for the Maple Leafs this season. The only time he's come out of the lineup was on Oct. 24 against the Buffalo Sabres. After that healthy scratch, Robertson went on a tear, scoring five goals and 10 points in his next 11 games.

Since then (his last nine games), the 24-year-old has just one goal.

'Wish We Found A Way To Get This For Him': Dennis Hildeby Shows Promise In Maple Leafs' Shootout Loss To Canadiens'Wish We Found A Way To Get This For Him': Dennis Hildeby Shows Promise In Maple Leafs' Shootout Loss To CanadiensHildeby stopped 33 of 34 shots against in the shootout loss to the Canadiens.

Part of that drop-off has come because of Robertson's decrease in ice time. During the 11 games after being a healthy scratch, Robertson averaged 15:46 of ice time. However, in the next nine, when he registered just one point, the forward averaged 11:21 of time on ice.

"I talked to (Robertson) this morning," Berube said after Toronto's morning skate on Monday.

"He was playing in the top-six and doing a good job, but then you make changes. But I have all the confidence that he'll get it back. To me, he's lost a little bit of his jump and the tenacity he plays with. But at the same time, that's a little bit ice time and getting the opportunity, too."

Berube is making one more lineup change ahead of their matchup against the Lightning: Dakota Mermis re-enters the lineup, and Philippe Myers is being scratched. Below is the Maple Leafs' projected lineup vs. Tampa Bay, with puck drop slated for after 7:30 p.m. ET.

Matthew Knies - Auston Matthews - Max Domi
Easton Cowan - John Tavares - William Nylander
Dakota Joshua - Nicolas Roy - Bobby McMann
Steven Lorentz - Scott Laughton - Calle Jarnkrok

Morgan Rielly - Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Jake McCabe - Troy Stecher
Simon Benoit - Dakota Mermis

Dennis Hildeby starts
Artur Akhtyamov

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