Ahead of the NHL’s holiday roster freeze, the Detroit Red Wings announced that depth forward Givani Smith had been traded to the Florida Panthers in a three-team move, including the Anaheim Ducks.
The Red Wings initially acquired veteran defenseman Michael Del Zotto for Givani Smith and subsequently traded the 32-year-old to Anaheim for minor league center Danny O’Regan
The 28-year-old has spent the entire 2022-23 season with the San Diego Gulls of the AHL, scoring three goals and 15 assists in 27 games. O’Regan has played a total of 30 NHL games with the San Jose Sharks, Buffalo Sabres, and Anaheim Ducks, scoring a goal and adding five assists.
Although born in Berlin, Germany, O’Regan represents the United States in international play. He played for the U.S National Development Program before spending three years with Boston University, where he scored 66 goals and 154 points in 154 appearances.
Smith was waived at the start of the season and had played 19 games with Grand Rapids, scoring two goals and adding three assists. Smith was also recalled by the Red Wings for two games on November 10th but failed to register a point.
With Detroit having depth at the wing position, Givani Smith got shuffled down the depth chart and wasn’t likely to see time at the NHL level. O’Regan, a natural center, gives Grand Rapids another option down the middle as the young team looks to establish some consistency.
