Wyatt Smith scored three goals in 61 games for the Minnesota Wild last season, none bigger than the one he had against the Avalanche in a crucial Wild victory in February at the Pepsi Center.
This was right before the NHL trade deadline, when there was talk the Wild needed to upgrade at center. Smith, a center, was offended by the talk and had probably his best game of the season in Minnesota’s 4-3 win. The Wild stuck with Smith for the rest of the season, but cut him loose this summer for reasons Smith said he was never given.
The Avalanche was interested when he became available, and the 30-year-old Minnesota native is on the verge of making the opening-night roster – especially after the Avs cut forwards T.J. Hensick and Mark Rycroft on Sunday.
But the Avs still need to make two more cuts by Wednesday’s season-opener against the Dallas Stars, and Smith isn’t taking anything for granted.
“We’ll see. I’ve felt pretty good this training camp, and I think I can fill a role with this team,” he said. “I just have to bring all the energy I can, with a good work ethic, and hopefully that will keep me around.”
Smith played four years at the University of Minnesota and was drafted into the NHL in 1997 by Phoenix. After bouncing back and forth from the Coyotes and their minor-league affiliate, Smith spent several years in the Nashville and New York Islanders organizations before seemingly finding a home with the hometown Wild.
But after the 61 regular-season and four playoff games, it was over in Minnesota for Smith. “That’s just one of those things, where there was no rhyme or reason,” said Smith, who has scored 10 goals and 29 points in 186 NHL games. “Obviously, when you put in 61 games and they seemed to think they were real happy with my play, it’s strange. But this is a business. That’s the way it happens. Right now, I’m here and hopefully I’ll be able to stick around.”
As his career statistics show, Avs fans shouldn’t count on much scoring from Smith. His game is built around defensive play, and the Avs hope he can improve on the 43.5 percent of the faceoffs he won with the Wild (221 wins, 287 losses).
The demotions of Hensick and Rycroft to the American Hockey League were surprises. Hensick had seven points in five preseason games, while Rycroft played 66 games for Colorado last season. The Avs have 25 players on their roster, with forwards Cody McCormick, Brad Richardson and goalie Jose Theodore rehabilitating from injuries.
Adrian Dater: 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com
