In order to aid their troubles down the middle, the Toronto Maple Leafs signed Jerred Smithson to a one-year contract Wednesday.
The Vernon, B.C., native signed a professional tryout contract with the Leafs’ American Hockey League affiliate Toronto Marlies on Oct. 16. The 34-year-old has one goal and eight penalty minutes in seven games with the Marlies this season.
Smithson has played 588 career NHL games dating back to the 2002-03 season. He has spent time with the Los Angeles Kings, Nashville Predators, Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers, while amassing 39 goals, 57 assists and 354 career penalty minutes.
The Leafs have been bitten by the injury bug of late with centres Dave Bolland and Tyler Bozak suffering long-term injuries, though Bozak is eligible to return Nov. 19. The team also sent down Trevor Smith down to the Marlies.
