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Maple Leafs' Ben Smith: Waived by team
Smith was designated for waivers by the Leafs on Monday.
Smith logged 36 games for Toronto last year in which he tallied two goals and a pair of assists. The winger was fighting for a spot on the 23-man roster and apparently lost out. Assuming he clears waivers, the 29-year-old will join AHL Toronto, but given his experience, should be on the short list of potential call-ups during the season.
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Maple Leafs' Ben Smith: On the bubble
Smith, who is on the bubble with the Leafs this season, is working hard to earn a roster spot for 2017-18.
He, Josh Leivo and Eric Fehr, two other players on the bubble, were effectively a checking line in scrimmages over the weekend, but he will need to fight to even get ice time in preseason contests. "You have to fight for that chance and earn it," Smith told the Toronto Sun. "I think the coaching staff knows what I can bring. I have shown I can do it, I just have to do it a bit better."
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Maple Leafs' Ben Smith: Inks one-year deal
Smith signed a one-year, $650,000 contract with the Leafs on Tuesday.
A two-time Stanley Cup champ with the Blackhawks, Smith was largely unproductive in 2016-17, tallying four points while suiting up for 40 games. It's doubtful that the Leafs want to bring Smith back into the fold; rather, they probably offered him a contract for the purpose of making him eligible for exposure in the upcoming expansion draft.
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Maple Leafs' Ben Smith: Just can't break lineup
Smith has only suited up for the Leafs once in the last month.
His last game action was on March 25. Prior to that, Smith last played on February 25. Smith's best work was done in 2013-14 when he was in Chicago, but since then, he's hopped through San Jose, Toronto, Colorado and back to the Big Smoke. Smith can't settle into a regular role, so he can't help you from a fantasy perspective.
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Maple Leafs' Ben Smith: Apparently on bench in return from injury
Smith (finger) is listed as a healthy scratch for Thursday's game against the Flyers, NHL.com reports.
Smith has missed the past four games and six of the last seven. He's entrenched in a reserve role, and that makes him an unappealing option in all fantasy formats.
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Maple Leafs' Ben Smith: Not in lineup Tuesday
Smith (finger) is not in the lineup for Tuesday night's clash with the Red Wings, Paul Hendrick of Leafs TV reports.
The team has yet to establish any sort of timetable for Smith's return, but it's entirely possible that the 28-year-old keeps riding the pine simply because he can't crack the lineup as it currently stands. Either way, his four points on the season keep him off the fantasy radar in most formats.
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Maple Leafs' Ben Smith: Misses practice Monday
Smith was not available to practice with the team Monday as he was receiving treatment on the finger he broke in December, David Alter of The Athletic reports.
Smith missed 18 games with this ailment previously and it is unclear whether the treatment he is receiving is routine or part of the reason he has played in just one of the Leafs' previous six outings. Considering he is not on IR and had been practicing prior to Monday, the center's lack of playing time could have more to do with the arrival of Brian Boyle.
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Maple Leafs' Ben Smith: Just a single point in 11 games
Smith has just one point since his Feb. 2 return from injury.
That's a span of 11 games. Smith plays a sturdy game on the Leafs' bottom six, but that does not make him worthy of fantasy consideration.
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Maple Leafs' Ben Smith: Activated from injured reserve
Smith (hand) was activated from the injured reserve list Thursday, Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun reports.
Smith had been sidelined since mid-December, but he hasn't contributed much offensively even when healthy. The veteran's best season occurred in 2013-14 with the Blackhawks, when he posted 26 points (14 goals, 12 assists) over 75 games. He has tallied just three points through 24 contests with the Maple Leafs this season and has averaged just 11:50 of ice time, keeping his fantasy upside relatively low even when he draws into the lineup.
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Maple Leafs' Ben Smith: Will have pins removed
Smith (hand) is scheduled to have the pins removed from his hand Wednesday, Paul Hendrick of Leafs TV reports.
While it is certainly a step in the right direction, this news effectively rules Smith out for the Leafs next two contests. Depending on healing time, the winger could potentially return to the lineup Saturday against Ottawa, although Jan. 23 versus Calgary is more likely. Prior to getting hurt in mid-December, the 28-year-old had tallied two goals and one assist in 24 appearances. Not exactly blockbuster numbers, fantasy owners may want to pursue other waiver wire pickups once Smith is activated off injured reserve.
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Maple Leafs' Ben Smith: Placed on injured reserve
Smith (upper body) was designated for injured reserve Wednesday.
Smith, who missed Monday's meeting with Anaheim, will be out for Toronto's next two contests even if he was placed on IR retroactively. Since coming over from Colorado, the center has managed just two goals and one helper in 24 games, which is consistent with what fantasy owners should expect out of him. With an extra spot on the 23-man roster, the Leafs recalled Bryon Froese from the minors.
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Maple Leafs' Ben Smith: Sidelined against Ducks
Smith has been ruled out for Monday's meeting with Anaheim due to an upper-body injury, Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.com reports.
Smith, who was claimed off waivers by the Leafs earlier this year, has tallied just three points in 24 contests. The center is averaging a mere 11:50 of ice time per night, including 2:36 on the penalty kill. The team has classified the 28-year-old as day-to-day; his next chance to return will be Thursday against his old team, the Avalanche.
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Maple Leafs' Ben Smith: Claimed by Toronto on Monday
Smith was claimed by Toronto on Monday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.
Smith hasn't been the most productive NHL player the last few years, only notching six points in 26 games over two seasons, but he scored 16 points in 19 AHL games, so there's some talent there. The Maple Leafs put Milan Michalek on waivers to make room for Smith.
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Avalanche's Ben Smith: Placed on waivers Sunday
Smith was waived Sunday, the Denver Post reports.
Aside from being held scoreless with a single shot on goal across four games this season, Smith was likely waived to make space for 2015 10th-overall pick Mikko Rantanen, who is nearing completion of his conditioning assignment at AHL San Antonio. If Smith clears waivers, he'll be sent to the AHL.
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Avalanche's Ben Smith: Inks deal with Avalanche
Smith agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way contract with the Avs on Tuesday.
Smith played 16 games for the Maple Leafs last season, tallying two goals, four assists and a plus-3 rating. While those stats may not jump off the page, the 28-year-old is a solid depth addition to the Avs organization, although his production will likely be too low enough for fantasy owners to pick him up except perhaps in the deepest of leagues.
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Maple Leafs' Ben Smith: Clears waivers Thursday
Smith cleared waivers Thursday, Sportsnet reports.
Smith was waived by the Leafs, a club reaching deep in their system in order to evaluate as many prospects as possible for next season. Since he went unclaimed, Smith could be ticketed to the minors, where his role as a depth option would be unchanged. Still, the team has yet to officially announce his landing spot.
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Maple Leafs' Ben Smith: Placed on waivers
Smith was put on waivers by Toronto on Wednesday, James Mirtle of TSN 1050 reports.
Smith's spot became vulnerable with a multitude of Maple Leafs set to return from injury. The 27-year-old could wind up back in the minors if unclaimed, but six points in 16 games with Toronto could intrigue another club as well. Expect another update in the next day or two confirming his ultimate destination.
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Maple Leafs' Ben Smith: Picks up two points Tuesday
Smith scored the game-winning goal and added an assist in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Lightning.
Don't expect a repeat of this performance any time soon, as Smith has just one goal and two assists in 15 games between the Sharks and Maple Leafs. He continues to skate on Toronto's fourth line, which usually is far from an ideal role for offensive production.
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Maple Leafs' Ben Smith: Skates on fourth line Monday
Smith was one of five forwards recalled by Toronto on Monday.
Smith, who was acquired from San Jose on Saturday in the James Reimer deal, has yet to score a point in six NHL contests this season. Based on Monday's practice, per the Toronto Sun, the 27-year-old Smith is poised to work on the Leafs' reconfigured fourth line, a role with limited fantasy implications.
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Maple Leafs' Ben Smith: Dealt to Toronto
San Jose traded Smith, Alex Stalock and a conditional 2018 fourth-round pick in exchange for James Reimer and Jeremy Morin on Saturday.
Smith has only drawn into six contests for the Sharks this season, and will likely have a similar role within the Maple Leafs organization, as he's already been assigned to AHL Toronto. The former sixth-round pick has played pretty well in the minors this season, notching 10 points (eight goals, two assists) in 14 games with AHL San Jose, and will provide Toronto with organizational depth at wing if nothing else. The 27-year-old forward is set to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2015-16 campaign.
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Player Bio
| HT/WT: 5-11, 203 lbs |
| Birthplace: Avon, CT |
| Age: 35 |
| Shoots: Right |