Craig Smith signed a three-year, $9.3 million contract with the Boston Bruins on Saturday. It has an average annual value of $3.1 million.
The 31-year-old forward scored 31 points (18 goals, 13 assists) in 69 games with the Nashville Predators last season and no points in four postseason games.
"Obviously, there's different things that we looked at and with our options, we looked at obviously, the team, the organization, the people that we'd be working with," Smith said about his decision to sign with the Bruins. "The city has a big part to do with it. My wife is in love with Boston and I've always had a soft side for it so that definitely checked it. Those were two of the big boxes that we wanted to check and definitely checked them off, so we're excited."
Smith said he didn't know any of the Bruins players on a personal level, but that he had a conversation with forward Patrice Bergeron, which made him even more excited about signing with Boston.
"Yeah, we spoke," Smith said. "The way -- I have a lot of respect for him, especially his game. I don't know him personally. This was the first time that we had talked, but the way he discussed his team and where they're at, and the manner that he carried himself throughout the phone call was impressive to me. As a player, I've played a little while now and it's definitely attractive to hear a guy talk about his team like that and how much passion he has for his city and the love he has for his teammates. That's something I want to be a part of."
Selected by Nashville in the fourth round (No. 98) of the 2009 NHL Draft, Smith scored at least 20 goals in five seasons and has scored 330 points (162 goals, 168 assists) in 661 regular-season games. He has scored 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in 52 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
"Looking forward, I'm just excited to have another opportunity and especially to come into a great organization like this," Smith said. "Nothing but good things to say from Nashville, had a great time there, a good run. But it was time for us to move on and my wife and I feel that this is the best step for us."
