Former Detroit Red Wings defenseman reaches desperate measures in hopes to save NHL career

At this stage of the offseason, and as we near the start of training camps, more and more PTO announcements will be made.

Organizations that want to give a shot to a player and limit the financial risk often turn to that option, whereas players who couldn't find a contract in free agency look to have an opportunity before the start of the season.

That's what happened between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the 36-year-old veteran Brendan Smith.

Indeed, Smith will report to the Blue Jackets training camp in the upcoming weeks after agreeing to sign a PTO:

Drafted 27th overall by the Wings in 2007, Smith spent the first ten years of his NHL career in Detroit.

The defenseman was eventually traded to the New York Rangers during the 2016-17 season, where he remained for five seasons before playing for the Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, and Dallas Stars.

He took part in 32 games with the Stars last season, scoring six points with a minus-9 +/-.

Over the course of his 14-year NHL career, the 6-foot-2 defenseman from Ontario scored 144 points, including 39 goals, while tallying 787 penalty minutes in 726 games.

With the high depth level on Columbus' blue line, it would be surprising to see him earn a spot during camp.

If he does, it could be as the seventh defenseman, where he could step in if an injury strikes the lineup.

Bringing him in for the preseason to avoid exposing some star players who don't need to take part in all games, such as Zach Werenski, would make sense.

The Blue Jackets' preseason will start on September 21st against the St. Louis Blues.

If Smith performs well at camp and brings positive energy to the locker room, he could end up turning his PTO into a regular contract.

In Columbus, missing the playoffs by only a point last year was tough. The team will certainly be among the organizations to follow in the Eastern Conference.