from Steve Zipay of Newsday,

Did general manager Jeff Gorton overpay by handing defenseman Brendan Smith a four-year, $17.4-million contract during the summer?

The jury can’t vote yet because all the evidence isn’t in.

Coach Alain Vigneault has dished out some tough love for Smith, who impressed during last year’s playoffs on his way to unrestricted free agency. He was benched Thursday in the Rangers’ 2-1 overtime win in Tampa, and again in Sunrise, Fla. against the Florida Panthers on Saturday. It was the fourth game that Smith has been a healthy scratch.

Some observers believe that Smith hasn’t really settled in after a whirlwind summer, which included that biggest-ever contract, getting married, buying a house and moving, and assuming the role as the Rangers representative to the NHLPA with Derek Stepan traded to Arizona. During training camp, he mused about adding his voice to the team’s leadership group.

continued plus other NYR noted