C.J. Smith, shown here with the USHL’s Chicago Steel, could join the Sabres soon. ©2017, Chicago Steel

Report: Sabres to sign college free agent C.J. Smith

BUFFALO – The Sabres plan to sign undrafted college free agent C.J. Smith, who just finished a 23-goal, 51-point junior season at UMass Lowell, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.

Update: Smith has officially signed a two-year, entry-level deal.

Smith, a 22-year-old winger, compiled 56 goals and 125 points in 120 games with the River Hawks, including 41 appearances this season. Notre Dame eliminated UMass Lowell from the NCAA Tournament on Sunday.

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Smith was born in Iowa.

Check back later for more on Smith, who could be playing for the Sabres by next week.

3 thoughts on “Report: Sabres to sign college free agent C.J. Smith”

  1. Cal Petersen was born in Iowa, wonder if they know eachother? They’re friends on twitter, for whatever that’s worth. (Connor Hurley too.) But I fully expect Petersen to sign with Chicago, where he started his career. His teammate from Waterloo and Notre Dame is also there, Vinnie Hinostroza.

    As for the signing, it’s a solid signing for sure. But there’s so many forwards now, someone has to be traded for defensive depth. Eichel, Reinhart, O’Reilly, Okposo, Kane, Nylander, Asplund, Fasching, Bailey, Baptiste, Carrier, Rodrigues, Pu, Estephen, Hurley, Olofsson, Malone, Girgensons, Larsson, Foligno, Cornel, Karabacek, somebody I’m sure I’m missing…they’re all either in the NHL or have solid NHL potential in the next 2-3 years, so someone has to be traded for a defenseman.

    On a side note, it’s sad the Sabres can’t ink a local kid like Nick Desimone, who’s a quality defenseman…can’t figure out why all the defensemen have gone elsewhere, and all Murray signed was another forward. (Especially the local kid, and the Penn State kid who has to know Pegula.)

    1. Murray said in an interview, They select 2-3 college UFAs from their scouting staff and go after only those “top candidates”.

      Maybe they don’t see Desimone as a promising prospect compared to others. Also, they have 10 picks coming up and a bunch of picks from last year. They have contract limits.

  2. He fills a need for LW depth. decent speed, good motor, average pucks skills. He might fit on the 3rd line if he can add some muscle and mature his game.

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