Devils blueliner Ty Smith will be the first to admit that he's had a challenging season. Last year in his rookie campaign, he had 23 points in 48 games averaging over 20 minutes per game. This season has seen his ice time cut to 17 minutes with some notable on-ice struggles.
"It's getting better. It's starting to grow. It's what I need to do, continue to get better and take steps every day," said Smith, adding that he's been working very closely with assistant coach Alain Nasreddine to get his game back on track.
"Touch pucks first when they dump it in, tape-to-tape passes all the time. Make sure they're crisp," Smith added.
When asked about his ice time, Smith also pointed out that the team's defense core is much better overall this season and that has also taken away minutes.
"I just think we have a better D core. Bringing guys like Graves, Dougie, (Siegenthaler) takes a big step. There's guys capable of playing big minutes. All I can do is keep getting better and get good minutes when I'm out there," he remarked, adding that he's had to adjust his game to the lesser minutes at times. "It's a little different playing a little less. When you're out there you have to be sharp and help your team as best you can."
After only three points in his first 15 games, Smith has double that offensive output in his last 15 with six. Smith also recognizes that his opportunity to grow in ice time could come now that Dougie Hamilton is out for an extended period of time with a broken jaw.
"When a big piece like Dougie goes down like that, a lot of guys have to step up," he said. "The guys have been doing a good job so far and we need to keep doing that."
Ty Smith's Game Steadily Improving | BLOG
Six points in 12 games in December and an opportunity to step up now with Dougie Hamilton out has Ty Smith's game moving in the right direction
