One of the better offensive catalysts from the back end in the entire draft, Ty Smith is a high-character player and elite skater that comes with little risk to the club fortunate to be selecting him. Scouts are always nervous to apply the "can't miss" tag, but it's safe to say that if you're his coach, you are breathing easier when Smith is on the ice.
After seeing him score 14 goals and 73 points in 69 games to earn a spot on the Western Hockey League (West) First All-Star Team, and then add another seven points (2+5) in as many playoff contests, scouts will rave about Smith's offensive game and nose for the net, but it's his elite intelligence and ability to drive the play in all three zones that really makes him stand out among his peers.
Smith, who was chosen first overall at the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft, has a rather mature game marked with excellent consistency and decision-making skills. He's in the right spots at the right times defensively, exhibiting a high-panic threshold with the puck using his vision and elusive footwork the get it to safety.
He's a fabulous backwards skater that keeps good gaps and closes on his check with great timing. You rarely see him out of position chasing the play. He goes down on a knee in a net-block position and is quite adept at using his stick jam shooting and passing lanes. He just understands the game and the results back him up.
Smith's top-end potential may not rival that of the first overall selection, but his long-term outlook puts him right in the discussion with the other rearguards in the 2018 draft class. It's realistic to believe his playmaking ability continues to develop into a regular 45-point contributor at the NHL level when fully baked, as he has all the requisite traits to be a reliable top-four presence that can succeed in all situations and work for whatever success he earns.
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For more on all the youngsters in the Sabres pipeline, check out Kris Baker's website, SabresProspects.com. You can also follow him on Twitter (@SabresProspects).
