Golden Knights Acquire Forward Cole Smith from Predators
The Vegas Golden Knights have acquired forward Cole Smith from the Nashville Predators in exchange for defenseman Christoffer Sedoff and a third-round pick in the 2028 NHL Entry Draft. The trade was announced on March 4, 2026.
Smith’s Role in Vegas
Smith, 30, brings a defensive presence and perform ethic to the Golden Knights’ bottom six. He has appeared in 42 games this season for Nashville, recording 10 points (6 goals, 4 assists) and averaging 14:27 of ice time. NHL.com notes he has recorded 119 hits this season, tied for the second-highest total on the Predators. His relentless play could draw comparisons to Golden Knights forward Keegan Kolesar.
Smith is also familiar with Golden Knights forward Colton Sissons, having played on a line with him during his time in Nashville.
Predators’ Return and Future Outlook
In return, the Predators receive 24-year-vintage defenseman Christoffer Sedoff, who has played the past three seasons with the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights. Sedoff has four assists in 38 games this season and is a pending restricted free agent. He is expected to join the Milwaukee Admirals, Nashville’s AHL affiliate. ESPN reports that the Predators now have five picks in the first three rounds of the 2028 NHL Entry Draft.
The Predators traded forward Michael McCarron earlier on the same day, signaling a potential shift towards rebuilding and accumulating future assets. General Manager Barry Trotz may explore further trades before the NHL trade deadline on March 6, 2026, with players like Ryan O’Reilly, Michael Bunting, and Erik Haula potentially being moved.
Cole Smith’s Career Background
Cole Smith was born on October 28, 1995, in Brainerd, Minnesota. Wikipedia details his athletic family background, with parents who competed in college sports and sisters who play hockey and soccer at the collegiate level. He played four seasons of NCAA hockey at the University of North Dakota before signing with the Nashville Predators as a free agent in March 2020.
Smith has played 271 career NHL games, all with the Nashville Predators. He had a career year in the 2023-24 season, recording 23 points (9 goals, 14 assists) in 80 games.
Smith’s Immediate Future
Smith played only three seconds in the Predators’ game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on March 3, 2026, as the trade was being finalized. He is expected to make his Golden Knights debut on March 7, 2026, against the Detroit Red Wings, or potentially on March 8, 2026, against the Minnesota Wild.