The Detroit Red Wings have defenseman Brendan Smith at their prospects camp. Smith was asked to come to camp for a couple of reasons, namely to help himself get ready for the 2012-13 season and to show the younger players how it's done. Smith is expected to make the Red Wings this season and has a real shot to be a top-four defenseman. He's got some offensive upside and should get a healthy amount of playing time based on Detroit's current roster. He should also approach the 100 penalty minute mark if he spends a full season in the NHL. Smith is worth looking at in deeper leagues that use penalty minutes as a category.

After losing out on Ryan Suter, the Detroit Red Wings are more likely to include Brendan Smith on their opening game roster. It's still possible that the Detroit Red Wings will trade for a defenseman and push Smith down on the depth charts. If that doesn't happen, Smith will be worth keeping a close eye on. He's got some offensive upside and should get a healthy amount of playing time based on Detroit's current roster. He should also approach the 100 penalty minute mark if he spends a full season in the NHL.

Brendan Smith is looking to win a job with the Detroit Red Wings in 2012-13. "That's the goal, it's attainable," Smith said. "I have to have a big summer. It sounds like a clich‚, about having a big summer, but I do have to have a big summer. I have to prove I want this job and take the job." Smith got a taste of life in the NHL in 2011-12 and ended up with seven points in 14 Red Wings games. His odds of winning a spot out of training camp will depend largely on Detroit's off-season moves.

The Red Wings returned rookie defenseman Brendan Smith to Grand Rapids of the AHL on Saturday. With the the returns of Nicklas Lidstrom and Jakub Kindl to the Detroit lineup and the impending return of Jonathan Ericsson, Smith was no longer needed. The Wings are high on Smith and he will return once the Griffins' season ends to serve as a playoff reserve.

Brendan Smith scored his first NHL goal on Friday. Smith has three points and six penalty minutes in five games this season. He should develop into a player who puts up good numbers offensively while also spending a lot of time in the sin bin. To that end, if you're in a keeper league, he's worth picking up now. However, anyone in a single season format shouldn't get too excited by his numbers over his first five NHL contests.

Brendan Smith has been called up by the Detroit Red Wings. Blueliner Mike Commodore was shipped to Tampa Bay, so Smith will be presented with a big opportunity. If he stays on the Red Wings management's good side, he might stick with the team for the remainder of the season. Smith has some offensive upside and he spends plenty of time in the sin bin, so he could be a valuable fantasy asset in a couple of seasons. In the short term though, we can't recommend picking him up in standard leagues.

Look for the Red Wings to re-call Brendan Smith from the AHL before the playoffs. They want to give their top blueline prospect some more NHL experience before the season is done as he will likely be needed in 2012-13 with Brad Stuart's likely departure.

Brendan Smith was called up from the minors on Saturday January 28.

Brendan Smith was called up from the minors on Tuesday December 6.

Brendan Smith has been sent to AHL Grand Rapids. Smith was expected to be sent to the minors once it became clear that Ian White (cheekbone) would be able to play on Wednesday. The Red Wings ended up holding onto him a bit longer, but they did end up demoting him after Smith was a healthy scratch on Wednesday. "Smitty was no slouch when he played with us," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "He was real good (but) we just want him to keep playing." We wouldn't be surprised if Smith is recalled before the season is over.