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Rangers reportedly on verge of re-signing Brendan Smith

Montreal Canadiens v New York Rangers - Game Four

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 18: Brendan Smith #42 of the New York Rangers hits Paul Byron #41 of the Montreal Canadiens into the boards during the third period in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2017 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Canadiens 2-1.(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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The New York Rangers are “close to finalizing” a contract extension with defenseman Brendan Smith, according to TSN’s Bob McKenzie.

The deal is expected to be four years long with a cap hit of $4.35 million.

Smith, 28, was traded from Detroit on Feb. 28, and the Rangers clearly liked what they saw.

In the playoffs, Smith played all 12 games, averaging 19:41 of ice time while adding four assists and finishing a team-high plus-8.

It remains to be seen if signing Smith makes it less likely that the Rangers pursue Kevin Shattenkirk in free agency.

Don’t forget the Blueshirts got Anthony DeAngelo in the Derek Stepan trade, and DeAngelo’s game is quite similar to Shattenkirk’s -- albeit far less proven at the NHL level.

Related: Smith, Rangers still talking