Former New Jersey Devils first-round pick Ty Smith is reportedly heading to the KHL after four seasons in the NHL, although nothing is confirmed.
Smith was selected 17th overall in the 2018 NHL Draft. After two seasons of development in the WHL, Smith made his NHL debut in the 2020–21 season.
In his rookie year, he recorded 23 points in 48 games and was named to the 2021 NHL All-Rookie Team.
The 25-year-old defenseman debuted on January 14, 2021, with the Devils and registered at least one point in each of his next five games. He totaled eight points in his first nine NHL appearances.
Smith finished seventh in voting for the Calder Memorial Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s top rookie.
From there, however, his performance began to decline. He played 66 games with the Devils in the 2021–22 season, tallying 20 points, before being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins. After just nine games with Pittsburgh, he was dealt to the Carolina Hurricanes ahead of the 2024–25 season.
Smith played a total of 131 NHL games, recording 49 points over his career.
He recently completed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Hurricanes, though he appeared in just eight games.
Now an unrestricted free agent following the 2024–25 season, Smith is rumored to be signing with Dinamo Minsk, a KHL team based in Belarus.
Dinamo Minsk competes in the Tarasov Division of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). While the team has never advanced past the first round of the playoffs, it has qualified for the postseason four times.
Although nothing is officially confirmed, the move would make sense given that Smith spent most of the past two seasons in the AHL, and the trajectory of his career has shifted, following his early success as a first-round pick with the Devils.
This remains an unconfirmed report. More updates will be shared as they become available. Be sure to follow The Hockey News New Jersey Devils page for the latest developments.
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