Rangers waive Smith on his birthday

NEW YORK » The New York Rangers have waived defenseman Brendan Smith, less than eight months after re-signing him to a four-year, $17 million contract.

The move Thursday came on Smith’s 29th birthday. He has one goal and seven assists in 44 games this season. He was acquired from Detroit at the trade deadline last year and totaled three goals and six assists in 51 games with the Red Wings and Rangers

Smith, a left-handed shooter, has 17 goals and 62 assists over 353 career games spanning parts of seven seasons.

New York has lost 11 of its last 15 games and began the day in last place in the tight Metropolitan Division, three points behind Columbus and the crosstown Islanders for the last wild card in the Eastern Conference.

Senators disagree with length of Burrows’ suspension

OTTAWA, ONTARIO » The Ottawa Senators knew Alex Burrows was facing a suspension. Ten games caught them by surprise.

The NHL department of Player Safety handed Burrows a 10-game suspension Wednesday night for kneeing New Jersey’s Taylor Hall on Tuesday night in a home victory.

“We disagree, but we respect the league’s process and decision,” Senators coach Guy Boucher said Thursday.

Hall caught Burrows with a hard check and Burrows replied by chasing down the Devils forward before punching and kneeing him in the helmet. He will forfeit $134,409 of his salary.