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“I had a good conversation with the coaches when I first got in (to Ottawa) and we talked about where they want me to play. I’m going to play that checking role, that shutdown role, that I’ve been kind of trying to define over the last few years. That’s where I want to be and if there needs to be a spot filled in on the top six, I think I’ve shown that I can fill in there.”

Yes, Smith certainly did, and he’s showed great chemistry on the wing alongside centre Jean-Gabriel Pageau. That’s likely the way it will stay going into training camp and it would be no surprise if forward Curtis Lazar, heading into his second full season, gets a chance to play on their right side.

The new coaching staff wants Smith to be a responsible defensive player — as he has been through his whole career — but that doesn’t mean they want him to cut down on his offence either. Before last season, the most he’d ever scored was 14 goals in 2011-12.

Smith is quite capable around the net and has the chance to be one of those players on the roster who could score 20 goals again.

“If you go back and look at the way I played while I was putting up points, my game didn’t change much,” Smith said. “I was still physical, playing against top lines and still penalty killing. It doesn’t really change anything in terms of a physicality.

“Depending on the role you’re playing, if you’re playing a shutdown specific role against top lines every night, then maybe the production isn’t going to come as much but your role is just as big. It’s tough to say where it’s going to be now. We’ve got a lot of new faces, a lot of new coaches obviously so things will have to play out and settle in.”