Former Penguins Defenseman On Waivers; Reunion Makes Sense?
The Pittsburgh Penguins have two healthy right-handed defensemen on the NHL roster and only one with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Now, there is a former Penguins defenseman on waivers who could provide some depth and sheltered minutes at the NHL level on the right side.
Ty Smith is on waivers and is set to clear Sunday at 2 p.m. EST.
The Carolina Hurricanes waived Smith, 24, on Saturday, as they utilized the offensively minded D-man as depth. He has played only eight NHL games as Carolina shuffled him back and forth between the NHL and AHL. However, since he spent more than 30 days on the NHL roster since he last cleared waivers, he must do so again to report to the Chicago Wolves of the AHL.
In eight games, Smith has one goal and one assist.
The Penguins traded Smith in the Jake Guentzel trade last March, but Smith remained with the WBS Penguins because Carolina didn’t have an exclusive deal with an AHL club. As Carolina rectified that situation with Chicago, they signed Smith to a two-way deal with a $775,000 deal.
Smith played nine games for the Penguins in 2022-23 after the team acquired him in an offseason deal to move John Marino. Smith notched four points (1-3-4) in those nine games.
However, the knocks on Smith are below-average skating and a tendency to get lost in the defensive zone. However, Jack St. Ivany was re-assigned to WBS because of performance issues and remains out of the AHL lineup with an injury. The other right-handed option in the Penguins organization is Mac Hollowell, 26, who has just six games of NHL experience and none in the last two seasons.
Clarification update: Smith is a left-handed defenseman.
For now, it would surely seem to make sense, even if it is a short-term acquisition and the Penguins try to slip him through waivers shortly thereafter. Having another defenseman with right-side potential would be advantageous, even if it’s to sit in the press box while P.O Joseph adequately holds down the spot.
Categorized:Penguins
Um, he’s not righthanded.
Well it’s obvious in the picture he’s skating backwards;)
Ya…He is listed as a left shooter on puckpedia….
We need physical d-men who can actually play defense. We also need another starting goalie and a new HC.
Disagree (somewhat) on the coach but the rest 100% agree. We’re getting hurt left and right because the ‘15/‘16 style is now occupied by physically larger players.
If the puck is on their stick, it’s not on the opponents’ stick. I would be okay with one 3rd pairing tough/fighter/crease-clearer D, but that doesn’t seem to jive with the current NHL or Sully. I also liked Ty Smith’s play, esp. when Letang was injured. Ty may actually be a good partner for either 58 or EK65, who knows. Not that I lay last nite’s loss soley on NED, but KD needs to trade one of the goalies and let Blomqvist get some NHL ice time again.
You guys are still harping about the head coach? hahaha
Last thing we need is a small lightweight Dman!!;
If you signed Smith you would be at the limit of 50 contracts allowed and it leaves no room for a pickup–which I hope is coming–at the deadline from another team looking to shed players. Smith seems like an unnecessary bad fit IMO.
Nope
Just what we need, another “below average skater who gets lost in the defensive zone.”…Dan, you answered your own question: reunion makes sense ?… No, it does not…love ya buddy !
Hard pass, this is a joke correct?
We don’t need another fringe player who straddles the NHL/AHL line
Pass. Shea, Graves, and POJ are not all stars but they are all better than Smith. Only thing in Smith’s favor is he has experience playing his offside, the right side. Very little downside to claim him (he either ends up at WBS or he gets claimed) but will he block another Dman’s development? Smith is kind of like the Dman equivalent of Daniel Sprong. He’s fun to watch in the offensive zone but he’s a nightmare in the Defensive zone. Plus, turnovers at the blue line are the worst kind. Just ask St Ivany; his last blue line turnover… Read more »
So we can have 9 D guys on the roster? We are already scratching Graves and Shea.
I would just delete this article…
When your cupboard is full of beans, you don’t go out and buy a can of beans. Pens presently have 49/50 contracts. Don’t waste a contract on this guy so close to the trade deadline
No.
What about Clurman? I thought he handled himself well at both ends of the ice the one game he played!
I was thinking the same thing, and he actually shot the puck all game long
LMAO
This is a joke, right?
Looks like he cleared. Canes assigned him to AHL.
Awesome idea! Then we can bookend him with the other Smurf Grrzelzyk.
It’s bad enough Sully and Dupas like small, meek, choir boys but even the sportswriters do.
Ty Smith😂