Jack Smith<\/a> by August 15.<\/p>\nOn August 15, players coming out of the U.S. college system (NCAA) are allowed to walk away from the NHL team that holds their rights.<\/p>\n
Jack Smith is part of that group.<\/p>\n
The forward has completed his fourth NCAA season without ever signing a professional contract with the Montreal Canadiens.<\/p>\n
All he has to do is notify the NHL that he has left the college ranks to have his name removed from the team’s reserve list.<\/p>\n
In concrete terms, he would become an unrestricted free agent (UFA).<\/p>\n
He would then be free to sign wherever he wants, while the Canadiens would lose his rights without receiving any compensation in return.<\/p>\n
Around 20 players across the NHL are in the same situation this year.<\/p>\n
Smith is the only one on the Canadiens’ side.<\/p>\n
Here is the full list of college players who could become free agents:<\/p>\n
Jack Smith has the final say as Canadiens wait on his next move<\/p>\n
Nothing is forcing him to leave. The decision is 100% his.<\/p>\n
If he doesn’t file the paperwork, he remains on the Canadiens’ reserve list indefinitely.<\/p>\n
It’s a more common scenario than people might think.<\/p>\n
The forward isn’t exactly a prospect generating excitement in Montreal. It’s tough to picture him in the club’s long-term plans, but it’s still a situation worth monitoring.<\/p>\n
It’s also worth noting that he was drafted under Marc Bergevin, well before Kent Hughes took over the Canadiens. So it wouldn’t be surprising to see Hughes simply decide to let him go.<\/p>\n
Losing a player’s rights for nothing, though, is something no GM likes.<\/p>\n
Hughes is no different, even when it comes to a depth player.<\/p>\n
The 24-year-old Jack Smith is a 6-foot, 190-pound left-shot center who was selected in the fourth round, 102nd overall, in the 2020 NHL Draft.<\/p>\n
Last season, he recorded 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points in 40 games at the college level.<\/p>\n
A decision should come in the next few days.<\/p>\n
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics<\/p>\n
POLL<\/p>\n
12 HOURS AGO|256 ANSWERS<\/p>\n
Kent Hughes could lose a Canadiens forward for nothing in the next few days<\/p>\n
Which one do you think will sign with the Canadiens first?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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