Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Ty Smith was placed on waivers by the club on Thursday, the first day of waivers on the 2023-24 NHL calendar. Just 23 years of age and a 2018 first-round pick, there's a solid chance Smith is claimed and the Penguins will be able to shed his $775K cap hit. The Lloydminster, AB native enjoyed a big rookie season in the 2020-21 campaign with the Devils, tallying two goals and 23 points across just 48 games played in the pandemic-shortened season. However, he slipped to just 20 points in 66 games the following season and skated in just nine games with the Penguins last season. The club acquired another right-shot defenseman in Erik Karlsson this summer, leaving Smith behind Kris Letang, Karlsson, and Chad Ruhwedel on the right side of the Penguins' blueline.
New Jersey Devils defenseman Ty Smith is ready for his season debut on Saturday against Buffalo. The talented blueliner missed the first three games of the campaign with a lower-body injury. He'll be eased into action on the third pairing. Smith was the top-scoring rookie defenseman last season with 23 points in 48 games, and Kirill Kaprizov and Jason Robertson were the only first-year players to get more assists than him. Smith and the rest of the blue line will have a rookie goalie behind them on Saturday as New Jersey gives a debut to 20-year-old Nico Daws.
New Jersey Devils defenseman Ty Smith will be out for a number of days due to an undisclosed injury. The 21-year-old, who is expected to take another step forward in his second NHL season, has yet to play a preseason game. Smith collected 23 points (two goals, 21 assists) while averaging 20:07 of ice time in 48 games in his debut season in New Jersey. The Alberta native is currently sitting at #162 in Yahoo's pre-season draft rankings and is getting selected in 70% of fantasy drafts.
Ty Smith Continues Solid Rookie Campaign With 16th Assist
New Jersey Devils defenseman Ty Smith posted his 16th assist of the season in Thursday's 4-3 loss to Washington, reaching 18 points for his rookie campaign. He helped Jesper Bratt to extend his point streak to six games with a power-play goal. Smith has been hot himself as well lately, averaging a point per game in his last five outings. The 20-year-old is tied with Minnesota's Kirill Kaprizov for most assists among rookies and only two first-year players have notched more points than him. Smith will look to stay hot on Saturday in a rematch with Washington before finishing the week with a matchup against Boston.
New Jersey Devils defenseman Ty Smith recorded an assist in Thursday's 4-1 loss to the Isles, taking his point streak to four games. The 20-year old is now the 11th blueliner in NHL history to start off his career with a point streak of four or more games. He set up Nathan Bastian for a goal early in the second period which ended Semyon Varlamov's shutout streak at 142:10. Smith had three efforts on goal himself, adding one block to his line with two penalty minutes and a plus-one rating. The 2018 first-round pick is logging minutes on the second power-play unit, but all of his points have so far come in even-strength situations, which is very impressive to see.
