Chicago Blackhawks: What Does Ben Smith Bring to the Organization?

Ben Smith's short stint with the Chicago Blackhawks at the end of the 2010-11 season has given us a taste of what he can provide the team.  The Hawks recalled Smith from Rockford shortly after they waived Rostislav Olesz.

Smith had an opportunity to start the 2011-12 NHL season with the Blackhawks, but he suffered a concussion in preseason that prevented him from starting in the NHL this year.

Olesz cleared NHL waivers, so he is playing for the Rockford Icehogs, and Smith is back with the Blackhawks until further notice.

Power-Play Depth

Ben Smith has scored four goals on the power play for the Rockford Icehogs this season. 

He will not be on Joel Quenneville's first or second line for the power play, but Smith's success in that situation definitely gives Quenneville another option opposed to putting someone like Daniel Carcillo on the man-advantage, which we've seen a number of times so far in 2011.

Experience

Ben Smith has experience playing with the Blackhawks.  It may not be the most experience, and, in fact, it's got to be the least amount of NHL experience of anyone on the Hawks' roster, but Smith has played for the Hawks during the most important time of the year.

Smith played in more playoff games (seven) last season then he did in regular season games (sic), and he thrived in the postseason when it mattered most.

With the Hawks up against elimination in Game 6 of the Western Conference quarterfinals against the Vancouver Canucks, Smith shined in overtime burying the game-winning goal over the glove of Roberto Luongo to force a seventh game.

Smith is familiar with many, if not most, of the current Blackhawks players, and he'll feel right at home when he takes the ice in Calgary with the NHL club.

Another Defensive Forward

Ben Smith is not afraid to sacrifice his body, and he showed that during his stint with the Blackhawks last season.

Smith reminds me of a combination of Marian Hossa and Jonathan Toews because of the way he uses his body and strength to fight off defenders to win loose puck battles and while controlling the puck.

Puck possession is key for any team to succeed, and it goes a very long way if someone on your third or fourth line, like Smith, has the ability to win loose puck battles during the trying times of any individual game.

Don't forget Coach Q had the confidence in Smith to play him in overtime of an elimination game during the first-round series against the Vancouver Canucks.  That speaks for itself.

Hunger

Ben Smith got a small taste of the NHL last season when he played for the Hawks at the end of the regular season and throughout first round of the playoffs, but a concussion held him back from beginning the 2011-12 season with the Blackhawks, and he's hungry.

Smith was successful for the Blackhawks during last year's postseason, and you know he has to be craving the success he achieved during his short stint in the NHL.

He's the type of player that knows his role, and he's not going to get too greedy when he's on the ice.  But, Smith plays his role very well, and that will translate into the success the Hawks need from Smith.

Ben Smith may not make an immediate impact or find his name on the score sheet for the Blackhawks as much as he may have in Rockford, but his presence will payoff when it's needed most.  Just watch.

Salary Cap Assistance

Ben Smith's salary of less than $1million is certainly helpful for the Blackhawks salary cap compared to Rostislav Olesz's salary of more than $3 million, especially if the Hawks are interested in acquiring some offensive depth before the trade deadline.

Smith's production is more useful for the Hawks' bang-for-your-buck than Olesz's, and that was proven when Smith played for the Hawks at the end of the 2010-11 season and Olesz's performance thus far in 2011.