Smith Has Grown into Franchise Pillar I FEATURE

TAKEAWAYS

"I did not see Ty Smith being Ty Smith back in October," Fitzgerald said in April. "What a great surprise, the development of his game."
What the rookie defenseman, who turned 21 years old during the season, developed into was arguably the Devils' top blueliner by season's end. Smith also, inarguably, was recognized league wide for his play as
evidenced by being named to the NHL's All-Rookie Team
.
The accomplishment was well deserved following a season that saw Smith lead all New Jersey defensemen in assists (21) and points (23). Those numbers, as well as his power-play assists (6) and man-advantage points (7), also led all NHL rookie blueliners.
"It was exciting that I was able to play (in New Jersey) full time and continue to grow and develop throughout the year," said Smith, who ranked seventh in voting for the Calder Trophy, awarded to the NHL's rookie of the year. "Overall, it was a pretty positive year personally."

Maybe Fitzgerald didn't expect Smith's rapid development back in October, but he certainly noticed it in January when the season started. Smith made the team out of training camp and capped his first-career NHL game with his first-ever goal against Boston Jan. 14.
"I just wanted to come in and make the team, and kind of go from there," Smith said. "I'm not too sure what I expected (for the year). I expect a lot of myself. I expected to be an impact guy as soon as I could. I think I started to do that as the year went on."
Smith didn't just make an impact as the year went on; he made an immediate impact from the first moment his blades cut the ice until the end of the year.
Smith, New Jersey's first-round pick (17th overall) in 2018, began his career with a five-game scoring streak totaling six points (1G-5A). It was a historic run that came one game shy of tying an NHL record for a defenseman to start an NHL career. Smith would garner eight points (2G-6A) in his first nine games. It was all uphill from there.
Smith, a Lloydminster, Alberta native, became the team's power-play quarterback and his minutes and assignments increased. By mid-season, Smith was leading the team's defensemen in ice time while drawing the assignment of facing the opposing team's top players. He topped over 20 minutes of action in 12 straight games from March 28 to April 18, including a career-high 25:25 minutes against the New York Rangers to end the run, which was only halted due to a shoulder injury.
Though Smith returned to the lineup for another four games, the shoulder injury limited his range of motion and effectiveness. So the Devils shut him down for the year to let the injury heal. Luckily, the shoulder issue shouldn't derail him heading into next season.
"Should be good to go for summer and get a good offseason," Smith said. "I need to have a really good offseason so I can take another big step forward for next year."
In order to take that next big step forward, Smith noted some areas of his game upon which he would like to improve.
"My shot, getting it off quicker and shooting a little harder," he said. "I think I need to continue being more explosive, adding to my skating. Trying to have more pop in my stride."

And another aspect Smith would like to increase, aside from the on-ice skills, is adding strength to his 5-foot-11, 175-pound frame. Though undersized, Smith learned how to handle the 200-plus pound power forwards in the NHL with his smarts, anticipation, angles and stickwork.
"I learned a little bit about how to handle the bigger guys, playing against men, bigger, stronger guys," he said. "I need to continue to get better at that, but that's something I learned a little bit. How to handle those kinds of guys."
Smith handled those assignments with aplomb. But don't take our word for it. Devils head coach Lindy Ruff called Smith "a young defenseman that was able to play against some of the biggest, most powerful forwards in the league."
That doesn't mean Smith didn't make his mistakes or have his hiccups as any young player would. But the coaching staff, including defensive coach Alain Nasreddine, let him learn from those mistakes.
"(Ruff) was patient with me early on. He helped me out a lot along the way," Smith said. "He was great for me, so was the rest of the staff. I'm definitely thankful to have had them for this first year."
And they'll be there to steer Smith's development well into the future as he grows into one of the pillars of the franchise, alongside Hughes and Hischier.
"I want to see this group grow together. I want to grow with them and be a part of this," Fitzgerald said. "Once this group really hits their stride, then you can add those young guys to the organization because then Jack's older, Nico's older, Ty Smith's older. They become leaders themselves. That's the exciting part."
Did you notice it this time? Jack. Nico. Ty Smith.
Smith has elevated his status in the eyes of the upper management and the coaching staff. But most importantly, Smith elevated himself in his own eyes.
"I also learned (this year) that I can be an impact guy here. I can defend in this league," Smith said. "I need to continue to work at that too, but I think it's something that I can do is defend. And I can make plays. So it's exciting for me."