It's been a whirlwind couple of days for Zack Smith.
Over one week after he was waived by the Ottawa Senators, cleared waivers, and was given an 'A' to wear at home, Smith scored the Senators first goal of the season.
Zack Smith pots the #Sens first goal of the season. #GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/ra4dU3VWVx
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) October 5, 2018
The waiving of Smith on Sept. 25 came as a shock to the players and head coach. "It's a kick in the balls for us," Senators forward Matt Duchene told reporters after practice. Added head coach Guy Boucher, "Until further notice, his name is on my board."
According to general manager Pierre Dorion, the move was performance-based. Last season Smith had only 19 points in 68 games after posting back-to-back 30-plus point seasons.
Due to a $3.25 million annual cap hit, the centerman cleared waivers.
"I think it ran the course on the emotions," Smith said on Thursday after passing through the waiver wire. "Disbelief first, then denial and anger. It kind of fluttered through me all at once. It was kinda hard to grasp."
Then, in another noteworthy move on Wednesday, Smith was named an alternate captain by the Senators for all home games.
On Thursday, in the Senators season opener, the longest-tenured Senator scored the team's first goal of the year to tie the game at one against the Blackhawks.