The Carolina Hurricanes have re-signed their big deadline acquisition!
Wait... what's that? Oh...
The Canes announced today that they have actually re-signed defenseman Ty Smith to a one-year, two-way contract.
The 24-year-old blueliner was acquired by the Hurricanes at the trade deadline this year in a package alongside Jake Guentzel.
The deal will pay Smith $775,000 at the NHL level and $200,000 at the AHL level with $275,000 guaranteed.
“Ty is still developing as a player, but he possesses a keen ability to generate offense from the blue line,” said Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky. “Our style of play relies on defensemen to pitch in offensively, and he is an experienced NHL player who can fill that role for our team.”
Smith led the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in scoring last season with nine goals and 43 points in 63 AHL games.
Prior to last season, Smith was playing in the NHL, having 123 games of experience under his belt with eight goals and 47 points.
The 2018 first-round pick (17th overall) was at one time a highly touted prospect and made the NHL's All-Rookie Team in 2021 after registering two goals and 23 points in 48 games.
The Canes are hoping perhaps the 5-foot-11 defender can once again find that spark.