The Toronto Maple Leafs are adding a bit of size to their blue line depth. The team announced today that they signed 20-year-old undrafted free agent Blake Smith to a three-year entry-level deal. Smith, who played for both the Oshawa Generals and Flint Firebirds in his OHL career, is a 6-foot-5 defender who weighs in at 225 pounds.
Smith put up 10 goals and 22 assists in 64 games for the Firebirds as an overage player this past season. Playing in all situations for the Firebirds, Smith was listed as a first-pairing player for the team throughout the playoffs. An Oshawa native, the deal offers Smith a chance to continue his hockey career in his home province. The Firebirds were eliminated by the Kitchener Rangers in five games from the first round of the OHL playoffs, making Smith then eligible to solicit professional offers.
The deal kicks in for next season, meaning he’ll likely come to training camp and compete for a spot on the opening day roster, but more likely be sent to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies or ECHL’s Cincinnati Cyclones. He’ll likely make an appearance at Leafs development camp this summer following the NHL Draft, before showing up at the team’s prospect camps and main training camp coming this fall.
The Maple Leafs defense, already at historically high proportions, will get even taller starting next season. The club announced Wednesday it has signed Blake Smith to a three-year entry level contract starting next season. Smith has spent the past year with the OHL’s Flint Firebirds, where he had 10 goals and 22 assists in 64 games. He also recorded a career-high 54 penalty minutes.
Smith broke in with the Oshawa Generals in 2021-22 and went to Flint the following year. He played 244 career OHL games with 54 points. He had an assist in five playoff games this past season. The Toronto Maple Leafs defense already has Brandon Carlo and Philippe Myers (both 6-foot-5), Simon Benoit (6-foot-4), Chris Tanev (6-foot-3), Oliver Ekman-Larsson (6-foot-2), Morgan Rielly and Jake McCabe (both 6-foot-1). When healthy, Jani Hakanpaa brings a 6-foot-7 presence. On the farm, recent prospects include Cade Webber (6-foot-7), John Prokop (6-foot-3) and Marshall Rifai (6-foot-2). Last year’s first-round pick, Generals’ Ben Danford, is 6-foot-2. This is not to mention that the Leafs goalie tandem of Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll aren’t shrimps, either. Stolarz stands 6-foot-6 and Woll measures in at 6-foot-3.
The Toronto Maple Leafs continue to add to their prospect pool, signing defenceman Blake Smith to a three-year, entry-level contract on Thursday. Smith is coming off a career-best season, scoring 10 goals and 32 points in 64 games with the Flint Firebirds where he also served as an assistant captain. He also recorded an assist in five playoff games for the Firebirds. The Oshawa, Ont, native went undrafted after playing four seasons in the OHL with Flint and the Generals.
On Thursday afternoon, April 10, 2025, Toronto signed Blake Smith, a 6'5", 225 lb 20 year old defenseman from Flint to an ELC. Smith was a teammate of Sam McCue's in Flint for the second half of this year. Per the Elite Prospects 2023 draft guide, he's a big defenseman who plays physical but is a good skater. Per a scout on Twitter, Smith was 5th in the entire OHL in average TOI at 26:37. He was tied for the most goals by defensemen on the team.
Smith’s interesting because it’s not as simple as the size plus a little bit of skating. He can make and take passes in motion, uses space before shooting, looks for teammates in the slot when given space, and even tries some creative plays. The shot and hands are a below-average projection. He’s a vulnerable defender. Prone to getting manipulated, despite his relatively advanced defensive posture for this level (chest up, knees bent, few crossovers, wide stance). He over-commits but shows some corrective ability. He’s not a pick for us, but I wouldn’t be surprised if a team picks him. As such, Smith’s a long-term projection. His mobility, size, and desire to make plays give him a chance, especially if the reads, awareness, and puck skills take a step or two.
Following Wednesday’s overtime victory over the Atlantic Division rival Tampa Bay Lightning, the Maple Leafs will aim for their second consecutive win when the club retakes the ice Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens. Earlier in April, the Maple Leafs punched their ticket to the upcoming postseason, marking an NHL-leading ninth consecutive season in which the club will compete for the Stanley Cup.
