from Greg Joyce of the New York Post,

The Rangers defenseman’s first full year in the organization ended early after an injury at AHL Hartford, 11 games into his tour of the minors that began when he went through waivers unclaimed in February. It was hardly what either side had in mind when he signed a four-year, $17.4 million contract, and the nightmare season had Smith doubting himself and his future.

“I felt like I wasn’t good enough and I wouldn’t be able to get back,” Smith said Wednesday before playing 19:01 in a 4-1 Rangers loss to the Canucks at Rogers Arena. “A lot of times, I questioned myself if I was even good enough.”

These days, Smith is in a better spot. His path back to an NHL regular has not been a linear one — a healthy scratch for five of seven in November, three of four in December and nine of 11 in January, then making a recent cameo at forward. He served as the fourth-line left wing for six straight games and eight of nine before eventually returning to his natural position last Thursday in Detroit.

But Smith is now finding his way into the lineup nightly, even if unconventionally.

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