Draft Preview: Smith Capable of Doing Many Things For Red Wings

(Editor’s Note: The Detroit Red Wings will select 13th at the NHL draft Friday in Los Angeles. Detroit Hockey Now is profiling prospects expected to land in the No. 10-20 range. Today we look at Tri-City Americans defenseman Jackson Smith. NHL’s Central Scouting ranks him 13th among North American prospects.) 

The Detroit Red Wings are a team still with many needs awaiting be filled. That’s why Jackson Smith could prove to be an ideal fit for the club.

Hockey scouts describe the 6-foot-3, 190-pound defenseman for the WHL Tri-City Americans as a chameleon. In other words, he’s a player who can help a team in any number of ways.

Need a strong skater? A mobile puck mover? Perhaps a defensive dynamo? Someone who’s equally effective at both ends of the rink? High hockey IQ?

You can check Smith off in all of these boxes.

Smith Would Be Safe Pick For Red Wings

He can lead the rush up ice. In his own zone, Smith can prove to be a punishing physical presence. He’s that proverbial 200-foot player.

“Over these past couple of years, I’ve grown a lot as a player,” Smith told WHL.com. “On the ice, I try to sell myself the best I can as being a two-way guy.

“I think I play with a lot of pace offensively. I’m big and I skate well, which is big for the NHL. And I can defend the rush really well, and also run a power play. I can play PK. I kinda feel that I can do it all.”

When he isn't patrolling the blue line with the @TCAmericans, you can find Jackson Smith perfecting his golf game in Calgary.

The 18-year-old, 2025 #NHLDraft prospect knows the importance of spending time away from the rink.@KubotaCanadaLtd | #MeettheFuture pic.twitter.com/O8f5XLMgJz

— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) June 27, 2025

However, if there’s one reason that might stand out in why Smith could be the Red Wings’ first round pick, it’s this – he’s viewed by hockey people as one of the safest picks in this draft class.

If we’ve learned anything about Detroit GM Steve Yzerman and the first round of the NHL entry draft, he likes to play it safe.

Should they select him, the Red Wings also won’t be needing to make a rush decision on Smith’s future. He’ll be playing NCAA hockey next season for the Penn State Nittany Lions.