Brendan Smith is taking the Thomas Vanek approach: He'd prefer to stay but understands that the NHL is a business.
The Detroit Red Wings' schedule this week shows a date Wednesday night against the New York Islanders (7:30, FSD) at Joe Louis Arena, then a five-day bye, courtesy of the fall's World Cup of Hockey. That means the Wings will be off much of the week leading up to the March 1 trade deadline.
The Wings have to decide whether to stand pat or sell and, if it is the latter, the two biggest attractions are pending unrestricted free agents Smith and Vanek.
Vanek, 33, has been traded before, but Smith, 28, is new to the experience.
"I only know Red Wings hockey and I like it," Smith said after the morning skate. "That's all I can say. I've loved every moment here, good and bad. They have made me a better player. I would like to continue to stay on the Wing path, but there is a business, and you never know what happens."
The Wings have five defensemen under contract for next season, and Nick Jensen and Xavier Ouellet are restricted free agents this summer. Smith might not be back anyways, so trading him now to a team looking to go on a playoff run (Pittsburgh, for example, needs help on defense with two significant injuries) could yield a good return.
Smith says he will think about it as little as possible. He plans to be in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., during the break, fitting in beach time around visiting his brother Reilly, who plays for the Florida Panthers. Smith said his brother, who has been traded twice, "has given me some good insight" into what it is like. "But really," Smith said, "I am hoping to stick around and see how everything goes.
"I won't really think about it too much. If something happens, my agent will let me know, or I will see it on social media. It's all speculation."
Coach Jeff Blashill said having one's name involved in trade rumors is "part of being a professional hockey player that I don't think is always recognized from the outside looking in, that this type of stuff happens. ... Trade deadlines can be a factor in people's minds.
"The biggest thing we try to preach all the time is to control what you can control. The best thing for Brendan Smith is to play the very best hockey he can, both for our hockey team and for himself."
