Is it October yet?
Unfortunately, no, but we're here to help pass the time. From Aug. 8 to Sept. 1, The Hockey News Nashville Predators will be counting down 24 players in 24 days, profiling every current or potentially rostered player.
Today's player profile is forward Cole Smith.
24 Nashville Predators in 24 days series
As an NHL prospect
From Brainerd, Minnesota, Smith played three seasons at Brainerd High School, recording 103 points in 72 games and logging 128 penalty minutes. He was selected by the Sioux Falls Stampede in the 2014 USHL Draft, but was cut from the team before the season had started.
Smith then shifted to the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, playing two seasons with the Steinbach Pistons from 2014 to 2016. In 92 games, he recorded 84 points and 70 penalty minutes. After a strong outing in the MJHL, Smith was offered by the University of North Dakota.
He played four seasons at North Dakota from 2016 to 2020, recording 51 points in 137 games and logging 177 penalty minutes. In his senior year, he was named a finalist for the NCHC Defensive Forward of the Year award.
Professional career
A strong four-year career in college earned him a one-year contract from the Nashville Predators to start the 2020-21 season.
In his first professional season, Smith rotated between the Predators, Chicago Wolves and Florida Everblades. He played the bulk of that season in Chicago, scoring 10 points in 23 games. Smith scored two points in five games with the Everblades and played one game in Nashville.
Smith was signed to a one-year extension with Nashville, but spent the bulk of the season in Milwaukee. He played 59 games with the Admirals, scoring 41 points and logging 62 penalty minutes.
He played eight games with the Predators that season.
From 2022-23 to this past season, Smith has been a rostered full-time player for the Predators. He had 17 points in 69 games and 60 penalty minutes. The following year, 2023-24, his production spiked. Smith recorded 23 points in 80 games and 63 penalty minutes.
He was then offered a two-year extension going into the 2024-25 season. Smith's production dipped, recording 12 points in 71 games and 69 penalty minutes.
What role will he play this season?
With a 6-feet-3-inch build, the Predators likely want to utilize Smith as much as they can, mainly on the third and fourth lines.
He's a more physical player, but has shown flashes of being a productive bottom-six forward. Similar to the other lines on the roster, it comes down to who Smith is going to complement the best and what combination is going to elevate his game.
The Predators are a team known for taking a lot of penalties and fighting frequently. However, with them coming off one of their worst seasons in franchise history, those numbers need to start dwindling a bit.
Considering Smith has had over 60 penalty minutes in three straight seasons, the Predators are going to need him to be a little bit more statistically productive outside of the penalty box.