NASHVILLE, Tenn .—Senior alternate captain Cole Smith has signed an NHL free agent deal with the Nashville Predators, announced Thursday.
 
A Brainerd, Minn., native, Smith scored a career-high 11 goals this season to give him 24 for his career. He was a positive plus/minus rating in each of the past three seasons and is a finalist for the NCHC's Defensive Forward of the Year.
 
He had a pair of two-goal games this year (both wins), scoring twice in the 8-1 rout of Canisius Oct. 12 and netting another pair Nov. 16 at Denver in a 4-1 victory.
 
Smith played in 137 games in his collegiate career, amassing 51 points (24-27—51) and a +21 rating.
 
He joins fellow former UND alum Rocco Grimaldi in the Nashville Predators system. Grimaldi (2011-14) had career highs with 10 goals and 31 points for the Preds in 66 games this season. The Predators also own the rights to senior-to-be Grant Mismash, who was drafted by Nashville in the second round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.