Givani Smith is one of the up-and-comers who’s definitely keeping himself on the team’s radar. The 6’2”, 205 lbs left-handed winger is not an elite goal scorer or smooth playmaker. He’s a strong, grind-it-out kind of player with the ability to get under his opponent’s skin. It’s the kind of player the Red Wings have always employed, from Kirk Maltby to Justin Abdelkader. They love their grinders.

In today’s NHL, however, players have to be more rounded out, with much more high ended skill to complement their tough game. While Smith has always had that, he’s slowly been improving the subtleties in his game.

Smith was drafted in 2016 from the Guelpth Storm after putting up 23 goals and 42 points in 65 games. The following year, Smith’s point totals didn’t improve dramatically, but he took less penalties and improved his minus-27 to be a minus-9. I know that we don’t put much stock in plus/minus anymore, but that is a pretty steep improvement. Like I said, the subtleties in his game.

The following year, Smith was traded from the Guelph Storm to the Kitchener Rangers in one of those weird deals that can only be found in the OHL. It was near the trade deadline and the return was three second round picks. The Rangers finished 1st in the OHL’s Midwest Division and lost in seven games to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the Western Conference Finals. Smith added 11 goals and 18 points in 18 playoff games.

So what’s next for Smith? He just participated in the Red Wings development camp with the team’s two best prospects. He played on a line with both of them and looked like he could keep up. His skating has improved and he has good endurance, able to sustain offensive zone pressure after a fast rush up the ice. Filip Zadina was also quick to complement his shooting and hands. It’s a strong endorsement from the best shooter who was on the ice.

Of course, Smith’s game will always be defined by toughness. Often compared to guys like Tom Wilson and Wayne Simmonds, Smith plays with an edge, able to get into the dirty areas of the ice and get under the opposition’s skin. It’s a good trait to have, though it’s a fine line that needs to be walked. Smith has already gained a bit of a reputation for being a shit on the ice. So much so that in March, he was crucified online for an on-ice incident where it appeared he shoved a linesman to continue a fight.

Yours truly was quick to jump on the train of disappointment:

It was later cleared up by the official in question that he tripped himself and was not, as assumed, shoved by Smith. Fair or not, this is the kind of reputation that comes with playing the kind of tough, gritty game that Smith does.

As for his future, Smith has only played in three games at the professional level so far and doesn’t have any points to show for it. He’ll be a regular with the Grand Rapids Griffins this year as he tries to hone his game even more for the NHL level. I doubt we’ll see him in the winged wheel this season, but there’s a chance he could make the squad in 2019-20, depending how the Wings navigate free agency next Summer.

To me, he’s a fringe player right now who will likely get small windows of visibility in the NHL via call-ups when someone is injured. He’ll have to make some big strides this year to prove himself. It can be done. Just as a role existed for Abdelkader with Pavel Datsyuk, one can be carved out for Smith.

There’s always a piano that needs to be pulled.