Ty Smith has signed a new contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

League minimum and below his Qualifying Offer -- suggests that he isn't seen as having a bright future. I hope that this turns out to be a "prove-it" deal that he aces.

Was wondering if he would be part of a EK65 deal (if the Penguins pulled it off) but without legit NHL ice time I'm not sure how he can ever get over the hump in his development.

I assume they qualified him because they still had his RFA rights, but then why did he sign for less? Why didn't he just accept the qualifying offer? Does the player have to accept the qualifying offer right away or it's off the table?

Anyway, I thought he showed a lot of promise in his rookie season, but he seems to have fallen off since then. I don't think returning to Pittsburgh is the best thing for him. Maybe they'll trade him and give him a chance somewhere else.

Pens now at 49 contracts and Yager and O’Connor both still don’t have one. Moves will be made for sure. If not EK65 then another move for a defenseman…

Will Butcher 2.0. Decent offensive potential, but a major liability in his own zone. Not gonna be an NHL difference maker; Not a player you win with.

I agree that's his "style" but calling him a player you don't win with at 23 years old is a little unfair.

+3 and 4 pts in 9 games with penguins averaging 20 mins a night replacing for injuries is a great first step last season.

Obviously rushed by NJD, let's let him have a chance

Pulling for him…talented, smart kid.

He was the last cut from Devils camp as an 18-year old. Went back to juniors for two years, won two straight WHL dman of year awards. Had a good rookie season with top offensive situation minutes. But looking at the long-arc of his career…development has been slow.

Needs to be paired with a complementary blueliner and put in "sheltered" minutes to be effective. He still has a 4th/5th defenseman with PP2 upside but he needs to "own" the AHL on a top unit with full responsibility before an NHL team gives him that opportunity outside of injury fill-in time.

He's Torey Krug with 33% less points/minute.

To be frank, if there were anyone that is borderline NHL defenseman that should consider moving to forward it might be him.

I still believe he will be something in the NHL

It expires at the end of business, 15 July. So I really don't know what happened here. I'd probably be looking for a new agent.

When he played for the Chiefs, he was dynamic. Hope that game can translate to this level.

Absolutely crazy position on Ty Smith. Ty Smith should be in the NHL right now.

You know, it's funny you say that b/c last summer when everyone (excluding most NJD fans) was pumping him up and saying he was a lock for a roster spot, I insisted that the Pens were fleeced and that Ty was highly overrated. I was right. He never found his way last season despite being given every opportunity in camp. If you'd watched him play 114 games in the NHL w/ the Devils, like I did, maybe you'd see that my comparison is valid.

I was surprised he didn't make Pittsburgh. Even in a 5 or 6 slot. If it's not Pittsburgh, and they eventually let him go, another team will pick him up. Arizona, Chicago, Detroit could all use him in their lineup this year to name a few.

I just found out he was waived by Pittsburgh and nobody claimed him. Maybe the 1-way contract discouraged some teams, but I'm surprised nobody wanted to give him a chance. At least he'll be making an NHL salary this season, but after that I guess he'll be a career AHLer.

I have always liked Ty Smith.

I still like Ty Smith.

I was surprised, to say the least, that no one claimed him.

I'm still pulling for him and believe in him.