Just in case you were out of the loop for some reason or another, the New Jersey Devils acquired defenseman P.K. Subban from the Nashville Predators. In return the Devils gave the Predators defensemen Steven Santini and Jeremy Davies, as well as two draft picks.
Subban was the move that General Manager Ray Shero needed to make and he pulled off an absolute monster of a deal. With Subban now in the fold as probably a top pairing guy on the back end, what does this mean for the growth and placement of defensive prospect Ty Smith? However it affects Smith, it is nothing but positive.
There is absolutely no avenue where adding Subban is a negative for the young blue liner Smith. Adding Subban to the fold gives Smith another veteran to learn from. Smith will most likely be eased into the lineup while most likely being paired with a Damon Severson or Sami Vatanen.
Subban is the perfect teacher for Smith on how to maximize his offensive potential. Smith had 69 points in 57 games last season with the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL. Smith was drafted because of that offensive potential as a defenseman the Devils have not had in the prospect pool for quite some time. Bringing in Subban who has not scored less than 31 points in 9 NHL seasons, is a great way to show Smith the ropes, especially how to quaterback a power play.
Smith was already going to be learning a lot defensively from veteran captain Andy Greene. Both are left handed defensemen, Greene doesn’t have too much time in the NHL left, and Smith is just starting his career. Milking Greene for as much knowledge on the defensive side of the puck would be a wise decision for Smith. Greene led the league last season in blocked shots and Smith needed to work on his all around defensive game for what was seemingly his last year in Juniors.
Having both Greene and Subban as a teacher for an impressionable rookie is crucial to his development. Hopefully they use Smith, who still needs to earn his place on the roster out of camp, a lot better for his development than they had with Adam Larsson and Santini to some degree.
In Larsson’s defense, when they drafted him they did not have anyone in the same atmosphere as Subban. The opening night defensemen for the 2011-12 season were Larsson, Greene, Mark Fayne, Bryce Salvador, Henrik Tallinder, and Anton Volchenkov. How that team got to the Stanley Cup Finals will always boggle the mind. The point being, even if Smith does not make the team after camp, Subban will be here for another 2 years which Smith will most certainly be with the big club by then.
Also, with Subban here, he will hopefully raise the level of play of Severson and Vatanen. On top of that, he and Will Butcher will form a deadly one-time on the power play with the right shot-left shot combo. Having Butcher and Subban on the same power play, most likely the first unit, will allow Smith and maybe a combo of Severson and Vatanen to feast on the second unit. With Subban, Smith can now be sheltered and molded on the powerplay because John Hynes has so many options on who to put out there with a man advantage.
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Re-visiting Subban’s impact on Andy Greene, this will allow Greene to take a lesser role and less ice time to give him a break. After a brutal season last year, Greene can now step back and become a mentor to Smith and let Severson or Vatanen take his spot on the top pairing. Greene was still an effective defender last season being out there against teams top competition, but now he can still be an effective defender against teams third and fourth, lines which is more suited given his age.
Subban’s effect on the ice for Smith may not come immediately, but expect Smith to ease into the defensive rotation. As for his effect off the ice, that is always an internal thing. But what P.K. has always done since being in the NHL, it shows that it is okay to have a personality. P.K. is someone that can influence not only Smith, but a lot of the Devils’ young nucleus that it is okay to show who you really are.
Instead of hiding the personality and hiding who you are, Subban has shown to embrace who he is. It absolutely works for him and more players should do it. With him now in red and black, Smith may be able to be more comfortable off the ice in the bright lights and hectic Newark area with NYC right next door.
To sum everything up, Subban coming to town is nothing but positive for Ty Smith. He isn’t taking a spot from Smith, because Smith still needs to earn it. Maybe this gives Smith even more time to season in Junior. That is doubtful to happen, but if Smith takes a step back in his development it is a possibility. But if Smith makes the team out of camp, he should be a sponge in water next to Subban.