The Buffalo Sabres could certainly use some more depth on the roster. Well, that’s true for just about every team in the league.
While almost every club is looking to find cost-effective options to round out their lineups, there’s one particular name out there that could make sense for the Sabres.
The club could target former first-round pick Ty Smith as a low-risk option on a Professional Tryout (PTO) deal.
The 26-year-old defenseman was the 17th overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft. The Devils saw plenty of upside in Smith, giving him a shot to make the team. In parts of two seasons, Smith put up identical 22-point seasons. However, his second season saw a regression, scoring 22 points in 66 games, as opposed to 48 games the year before.
The Devils eventually passed on Smith, trading him to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the John Marino trade. Smith spent one season with the Penguins, playing just nine games, before becoming a UFA, as the Pens failed to qualify him in the 2024 offseason.
Smith landed a one-year deal with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2025, but only appeared in eight games for the Canes.
That situation left Smith adrift in the sea of free agency. He eventually landed a deal in the KHL with Dinamo Minsk. And it seemed like Smith rediscovered the skills that made him a first-rounder. Last season, he scored five goals and added 41 assists for 46 points in 68 games.
Yes, those numbers are not exactly earth-shattering. But they could be good enough to see if there’s still something left in the 26-year-old’s game.
Sabres might find somewhat of a hidden gem in Ty Smith
Let’s be realistic: Smith, even if he shows up at Sabres camp and makes a huge impression, isn’t going to knock anyone out of the lineup. But he could be the sort of seventh defenseman option that Lindy Ruff could be looking to plug in as needed.
Smith is a left-shot. So, he could provide some cover for newcomer Olen Zellweger. But there’s more to Smith than just having him as an occasional replacement.
Smith could provide injury insurance. Considering the left side is pretty solid for the Sabres, the former top prospect could step in should injuries happen.
We know they will. In particular, this season will be 84 games. And assuming the Sabres will go on another prolonged playoff run, having extra bodies will certainly help.
All told, Ty Smith is a long shot. That’s why he makes sense as a PTO candidate. If he doesn’t make it, he could head back to the KHL, where it seems that he’s found some success.
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