LD Ty Smith - Spokane Chiefs, WHL (2018, 17th, NJD)

[JadedRandom]

I had them like this:

Dahlin - potential for #1 in the NHL
Smith - Elite #1
Hughes - #1
Boqvist - #2
Dobson - #2/3
Bouchard - #4

Great draft for D.

I really like Smith and think he has a definite chance at being a first-pairing defenseman, heck, possibly even a #1, but I would wait to see more of him excelling before I'd be comfortable putting him above guys like Hughes and company, who have also excelled in their respective leagues (Dobson has struggled a bit but he plays for an absolute dumpster fire of a team and will get traded soon).

That said, right now 2018 looks like an absolutely great year for first-round defensemen and the Devils have indeed got the Devil's own luck to be able to nab such a high-quality prospect as Smith after the mid-point of the first-round.

 

[Morgs]

I really like Smith and think he has a definite chance at being a first-pairing defenseman, heck, possibly even a #1, but I would wait to see more of him excelling before I'd be comfortable putting him above guys like Hughes and company, who have also excelled in their respective leagues (Dobson has struggled a bit but he plays for an absolute dumpster fire of a team and will get traded soon).

That said, right now 2018 looks like an absolutely great year for first-round defensemen and the Devils have indeed got the Devil's own luck to be able to nab such a high-quality prospect as Smith after the mid-point of the first-round.

To be honest I've had him up there since about January of 2018. My top-10 draft rankings were:

1. Dahlin
2. Svech
3. Smith
4. Hughes
5. Boqvist
6. Zadina
7. Kravtsov
8. Wahlstrom
9. Dobson
10. Bouchard

IMO Smith and Hughes are the best two draft eligible defense prospects since Seth Jones (not including Dahlin) with Provorov right behind.

 

[EXTRAS]

This year's Makar at the wjc as far as basically seeing 3rd pair minutes while putting up big points?

 

[docbenton]

Smith's upside is a #3, but he'd be pretty lucky to achieve that. He's not going to put up many points in this tournament nor in the NHL. He has a chance to be a good undersized transition defenseman, although it's far from a guarantee considering he continues to have some trouble playing and reading plays at a high pace. This is not a player with any chance whatsoever at being a #1 defenseman. Like <1% for sure.

 

[thrillhous]

Smith's upside is a #3, but he'd be pretty lucky to achieve that. He's not going to put up many points in this tournament nor in the NHL. He has a chance to be a good undersized transition defenseman, although it's far from a guarantee considering he continues to have some trouble playing and reading plays at a high pace. This is not a player with any chance whatsoever at being a #1 defenseman. Like <1% for sure.

Interesting take. And I completely disagree with everything you wrote.

 

[Nocashstyle]

Smith's upside is a #3, but he'd be pretty lucky to achieve that. He's not going to put up many points in this tournament nor in the NHL. He has a chance to be a good undersized transition defenseman, although it's far from a guarantee considering he continues to have some trouble playing and reading plays at a high pace. This is not a player with any chance whatsoever at being a #1 defenseman. Like <1% for sure.

I can’t say I’ve watched him extensively, but every game I have watched his IQ seems to be by far his strongest asset. He does not seem to have difficulty reading plays at all.

 

[Red Solo Cup]

Smith's upside is a #3, but he'd be pretty lucky to achieve that. He's not going to put up many points in this tournament nor in the NHL. He has a chance to be a good undersized transition defenseman, although it's far from a guarantee considering he continues to have some trouble playing and reading plays at a high pace. This is not a player with any chance whatsoever at being a #1 defenseman. Like <1% for sure.

This may not age well.

I’m not sure if you watched any of his preseason games with the devils, but he was arguably their best defenseman in multiple facets. He was easily the defenseman who skated the best, he had a ton of poise, he also wasn’t ever too risky, and most of all he just made the right plays. I’m aware that preseason isn’t particularly high level NHL hockey, but he definitely didn’t look out of place at all. I don’t think I agree with your assessment but hey, ya know.

 

[Legend123]

This year's Makar at the wjc as far as basically seeing 3rd pair minutes while putting up big points?

hes good but now where nearly as good as Makar offensively. I know u prob read posters prepping him up as a top 3-5 pick. But in a realistic world he was always gonna be borderline top 10. And he dropped to the devils by a few spots so they certainly were lucky to draft him, thats for sure, but a top 5 talent? who will dominate this years U20s like Makar did? A very very slim chance imo.

 

[Morgs]

Best D on Canada last night, and rightly so lead their team in icetime by 4 minutes lol.

 

[seafoam]

I wanted the Islanders to draft this guy so badly.

 

[member 147413]

Looked like Canada’s best and most dynamic D last night.

 

[NJ DevLolz]

PoG vs the Czechs. Been getting better as the tournament has progressed.

 

[landy92mack29]

PoG vs the Czechs. Been getting better as the tournament has progressed.

He was pretty much flawless tonight and hopefully Hunter clues in Smith-Dobson should be Canada's top pairing for the rest of the tournament. I'm expecting him to be an impact player for the Devils next year

 

[ponder]

I was at the game, he deserved PoG, he was the best dman on the ice tonight. Great in all 3 zones, fast and hard working, and very good with the puck on his stick.

Side note, this Canadian team may not have received much pre-tourney hype, but they look great. No superstar, but they have great chemistry. Speed, skill and grit throughout the lineup, I think they have a great shot to win gold.

 

[KovalSNIPE]

Smith's upside is a #3, but he'd be pretty lucky to achieve that. He's not going to put up many points in this tournament nor in the NHL. He has a chance to be a good undersized transition defenseman, although it's far from a guarantee considering he continues to have some trouble playing and reading plays at a high pace. This is not a player with any chance whatsoever at being a #1 defenseman. Like <1% for sure.

Well, thank god you're not a scout

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

Even if we are over hyping him a bit in here (devils fans) its been great to see this kids development this season since we picked him up in the draft last summer. Considering how shallow we are with LHD and him filling that position he will be a huge piece for us going forward. We haven't had a prospect this impressive on defense in forever. Maybe Larsson would be the last similar prospect in terms of potential and that was in 2011.

 

[VoidCreature]

Even if we are over hyping him a bit in here (devils fans) its been great to see this kids development this season since we picked him up in the draft last summer. Considering how shallow we are with LHD and him filling that position he will be a huge piece for us going forward. We haven't had a prospect this impressive on defense in forever. Maybe Larsson would be the last similar prospect in terms of potential and that was in 2011.

A good number of the people doing the most hyping aren't Devils fans.

That's maybe what excites me the most.

 

[bert]

Best D on Canada last night, and rightly so lead their team in icetime by 4 minutes lol.

He had a really good game yes. But was brutal the game before. Lots of really bad turnovers in the previous game.

I get he has the puck on his stick alot but he has to be more responsible with it.

No he isnt close to the talent that Quinn Hughes is. Only takes 5 minutes of watching both players to understand that.

 

[Nocashstyle]

He had a really good game yes. But was brutal the game before. Lots of really bad turnovers in the previous game.

I get he has the puck on his stick alot but he has to be more responsible with it.

No he isnt close to the talent that Quinn Hughes is. Only takes 5 minutes of watching both players to understand that.

Agreed he’s not the talent that Q Hughes is, but Hughes has had instances of the same problem in this tourney as well. When you have the puck on your stick a lot, turnovers happen. Hughes is definitely more dynamic offensively, there’s no doubt about that. I would trust Smith more in my own end though.

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

He had a really good game yes. But was brutal the game before. Lots of really bad turnovers in the previous game.

I get he has the puck on his stick alot but he has to be more responsible with it.

No he isnt close to the talent that Quinn Hughes is. Only takes 5 minutes of watching both players to understand that.

You continue to talk about that terrible game which didn't really exist. Also, Hughes does have better natural ability, thats obvious. Smith more than makes up for it with higher hockey IQ, better zone exits and much better defense.

 

[Blender]

You continue to talk about that terrible game which didn't really exist. Also, Hughes does have better natural ability, thats obvious. Smith more than makes up for it with higher hockey IQ, better zone exits and much better defense.

The "terrible game" against the Swiss didn't exist at all, it's pure fantasy.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

You continue to talk about that terrible game which didn't really exist. Also, Hughes does have better natural ability, thats obvious. Smith more than makes up for it with higher hockey IQ, better zone exits and much better defense.

wat

 

[bert]

You continue to talk about that terrible game which didn't really exist. Also, Hughes does have better natural ability, thats obvious. Smith more than makes up for it with higher hockey IQ, better zone exits and much better defense.

I have the game taped if you want me to go watch it and bring up every single turnover ill do it.

His IQ just isnt that high he makes incredibly irresponsible and dangerous plays with the puck for no reason at all on a consistent basis. Did it at U 18 and he is doing it at the WJC. Two scouts i know said the same.

Thats not saying he wont change but from what ive seen its been very consistent.

 

[Nocashstyle]

I have the game taped if you want me to go watch it and bring up every single turnover ill do it.

His IQ just isnt that high he makes incredibly irresponsible and dangerous plays with the puck for no reason at all on a consistent basis. Did it at U 18 and he is doing it at the WJC. Two scouts i know said the same.

Thats not saying he wont change but from what ive seen its been very consistent.

Huh? His IQ is his best asset....

 

[bert]

The "terrible game" against the Swiss didn't exist at all, it's pure fantasy.

Yeah im fantasizing for the team im cheering for to have brutal turnovers all over the ice. That makes sense.