Jerred Smithson is preparing himself for a roster spot with the Florida Panthers this off-season. "I'm still learning and having to prove myself every year, which is a good thing," he told the Vernon Morning Star after a workout session. "It keeps me motivated and on my toes. It seems like every year I have to go in and earn my job. I'm not going to get complacent and I want to prove to people I can still play and be effective out there." He skated in 16 regular season games and five playoff contests with the Panthers last season after being traded by Nashville. Smithson wants to stay on the team's active roster, but he'll face stiff competition from some of Florida's prospects as well as other off-season acquisitions. He also said that he wants to impress because he will be an unrestricted free agent next summer.

According to coach Kevin Dineen, Jered Smithson is likely to take the place of scratched Wojtek Wolski in Game 4. Smithson has played just once since March 29 and did not dress in either of the first two games of the series. He joined the Panthers at the trade deadline and recorded one assist in 16 games and totaled 1-5-6 in 69 matches between Florida and Nashville. Smithson is 2-1-3 in 31 career games.

Jerred Smithson has been outstanding on faceoffs since coming over to Florida in a trade with Nashville. He has emerged victorious on 36 of the 59 draws he has taken for a 61 percent success rate. When his faceoffs as a member of the Predators are added to the equation, Smithson has 56.1 winning percentage on a total of 572. Unfortunately outside of that category, he doesn't bring much to the table in terms of fantasy value aside from his 107 hits.

The Florida Panthers are hoping that new addition Jerred Smithson can help aid their sagging penalty kill. He is responsible defensively and can win faceoffs. The Panthers are ranked 24th in the league in penalty kill efficiency, but they are fifth in the NHL for the fewest times shorthanded and have surrendered a power-play goal in four straight contests. Florida's PK should benefit from the returns of Jason Garrison, Marcel Goc and John Madden as well.

The Nashville Predators have sent Jerred Smithson to the Florida Panthers in exchange for a 2012 sixth round draft pick. Smithson is a bottom-six forward who had five points and 30 penalty minutes in 53 games with Nashville this season. He will bolster the Panthers depth, which has taken a hit due to a number of noteworthy injuries. That being said, the change of scenery shouldn't significantly alter his fantasy value.

To update an earlier item, the Predators will have Jerred Smithson and defenseman Francis Bouillon back for Thursday's match against Philadelphia. Jack Hillen will probably be scratched on the blueline, while Brandon Yip or Gabriel Bourque are slated to come out for Smithson.

Jerred Smithson (upper body) was available for Tuesday's game, but the Predators decided to give him a bit more time. "It turned out for the best. The team won and that's all that matters. I told (Coach) last game I felt good, but he said to give it a day or so and make it feel that much better," Smithson said. Consider him probable for Thursday's contest.

Jerred Smithson returned to action on Saturday January 28.

Jerred Smithson (lower body) was activated off injured reserve Thursday morning. "I feel good," he said. "Took a few days to let it heal. I'm ready to play, whenever they want me." Coach Barry Trotz has listed him as a game-time decision for Thursday night's contest against Columbus, but he'll probably end up playing.

Jerred Smithson (lower body) isn't likely to play on Thursday versus Columbus. Smithson has missed the Predators' last five games. He has four points and 28 penalty minutes in 41 contests in 2011-12.