Joe Smith

Senior Writer, Wild & NHL

Joe Smith is a senior writer for The Athletic covering the Minnesota Wild and the National Hockey League. He spent the previous four years as Tampa Bay Lightning beat writer for The Athletic after a 12-year-stint at the Tampa Bay Times. At the Times, he covered the Lightning from 2010-18 and the Tampa Bay Rays and Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2008-13.

Wild sign defenseman Jake Middleton to 4-year contract extension: Sources

Middleton, 28, has one year remaining on his current three-year contract Monday is the first day he's eligible for an extension.

Michael Russo and Joe Smith330

Wild hire Jack Capuano as new assistant coach: What's his role?

Michael Russo and Joe Smith22

Wild post-NHL Draft offseason primer: Trade for Patrik Laine? Free-agency targets for top-6 winger?

Michael Russo and Joe Smith114

Calder Trophy runner-up, a possible extension on the way, Wild's Brock Faber looks forward to big sophomore year

Michael Russo and Joe Smith33

Why would the Wild consider trading Marco Rossi after a breakthrough year? It's complicated

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More Stories

Minnesota Wild draft expert roundtable: Assessing 6 players the team could land at No. 13

Joe Smith180

Wild's Judd Brackett on 2024 draft, Charlie Stramel, young defense prospects and more

Joe Smith192

Inside Natalie Darwitz's ousting from PWHL Minnesota: Rift with the coach, players taking sides

Michael Russo and Joe Smith287

NHL Stanley Cup Final predictions: Athletic staff picks for Oilers-Panthers, Conn Smythe and more

The Athletic NHL Staff232

Minnesota Wild roster tiers: Who stays, who goes this offseason?

Joe Smith and Michael Russo245

NHLers' advice for a first-time father: 'Stanley Cups are close, but nothing beats this'

Joe Smith55

From heartbreak to heroes: How PWHL champs hope to 'turn the mojo' for Minnesota sports

Joe Smith43

Wild fire assistant Darby Hendrickson after 14 years: Why now?

Michael Russo and Joe Smith222

Behind the scenes with the Iowa Wild: Culture change, 'a perfect storm' of growing pains and a path forward

Joe Smith58

Inside Iginla and Lecavalier's fight from 2004, one of Stanley Cup Final's most iconic moments

The Athletic Staff113

NHL conference final predictions: Panthers vs. Rangers, Oilers vs. Stars, Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe picks

The Athletic NHL Staff166

Lightning reacquire Ryan McDonagh from Predators for draft picks

The Athletic Staff179

Wild fan survey results: Concern over Kirill Kaprizov's future, confidence in Bill Guerin and more

Joe Smith and Michael Russo236

Wild reshape their front office, promoting three to assistant GM, one to Iowa GM

Michael Russo and Joe Smith129

Lightning lifer? Hedman hoping to finish what he started as final year of contract looms

Joe Smith32

Wild fan survey: Trade candidates? Worried about Kaprizov’s future? Confidence level in Guerin?

Michael Russo and Joe Smith232

Is the Lightning's Cup window closed? Four factors that could help keep it open this offseason

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NHL second-round predictions: Avalanche vs. Stars, Bruins vs. Panthers, conference champions and more

The Athletic NHL Staff170

Steven Stamkos contract projection: How much would it take to land the Lightning star UFA?

Joe Smith and Shayna Goldman60

Jon Cooper on keeping the Lightning together for more Cup runs: 'We're all in this together'

Joe Smith59