WASHINGTON — Givani Smith's time with the Detroit Red Wings organization has come to an end.
The 2016 second-round pick, once viewed as a possible fourth-line grinder/enforcer, was part of a minor-league trade Monday evening that sent Smith to the Florida Panthers for defenseman Michael Del Zotto. The Wings then traded Del Zotto to the Anaheim Ducks for forward Danny O'Regan, who will report to the Grand Rapids Griffins.
It was only a little more than a year ago that the Wings thought enough of Smith, 24, to include him on the list of protected players during the Seattle Kraken expansion draft.