Pucks and Pitchforks
Fansided

New Jersey Devils: Top 5 One Hit Wonders

By Charlie Borges Jr.

NEWARK, NJ - SEPTEMBER 25: Sean Avery #16 of the New York Rangers gets into a fight with David Clarkson #23 of the New Jersey Devils during a preseason hockey game at the Prudential Center on September 25, 2010 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - SEPTEMBER 25: Sean Avery #16 of the New York Rangers gets into a fight with David Clarkson #23 of the New Jersey Devils during a preseason hockey game at the Prudential Center on September 25, 2010 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images) /
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5. Devante Smith-Pelly

Devante Smith-Pelly was a 2nd-round pick of the Anaheim Ducks after having a successful junior career. He made the Ducks out of camp when he was 19 years old, which added a lot of expectations for him. Being a power forward while being in the lineup with the likes of Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, there were a lot of people that could help Smith-Pelly. Things just never seemingly took off in Anaheim. His most successful season for the Ducks saw him get 17 points in 2014-15, then getting traded to the Montreal Canadiens for Jiri Sekac.

Smith-Pelly was a member of the Canadiens for another half season until he was traded to the Devils for 1st-round bust Stefan Matteau. Smith-Pelly came into the Garden State with a fresh slate, on his third team in two seasons.

He started off on a torrid pace. Scoring six goals in his first nine games as a Devil. He cooled off after that but finished with a respectable 13 points in 18 games. He was rewarded with a two-year contract extension going into his 24-year-old season. Expectations were high for Smith-Pelly to follow up on his success. Along with the addition of Taylor Hall, expectations were high all around.

However, nothing ended up panning out for the Devils in the 2016-17 season, until they won the draft lottery and selected Nico Hischier first overall. Smith-Pelly was a mixture of a healthy scratch and injured during the season and only had nine points in 53 games. He was bought out during the offseason and signed a one year deal with the Washington Capitals. He did find some success there, winning a Stanley Cup, and having a crucial goal in the clinching series. He was sent down to the minors in the following year and currently plays for the Kunlun Red Star of the KHL.

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