Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Brendan Smith had successful surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his knee. The procedure took place on January 6, following an injury sustained during a game against the Ottawa Senators. Smith is expected to recover fully in three to four months.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Brendan Smith underwent successful surgery on Tuesday, January 6, to repair a torn meniscus in his knee. The club's President of Hockey Operations and General Manager, Don Waddell, announced the news, stating that Smith is anticipated to make a full recovery within three to four months.
The 36-year-old defenseman from Mimico, Ontario, suffered the injury during the Blue Jackets' 4-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators on December 29. Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 200 pounds, Smith has appeared in 15 games for Columbus this season, recording two assists and 11 penalty minutes while averaging 11:05 of ice time per game.
Smith signed a one-year NHL/AHL contract with the Blue Jackets on November 24, 2024, after playing 11 games with the Cleveland Monsters at the start of the 2024-25 campaign. Over his 15 NHL seasons, he has amassed 39 goals and 107 assists for 146 points, along with 798 penalty minutes in 741 career games across six teams: the Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils, Carolina Hurricanes, New York Rangers, and Detroit Red Wings.
The Blue Jackets were set to return to action that evening against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena, with puck drop at 10 p.m. ET.