Chicago Blackhawks Draft Profile: Defenseman Ty Smith

With the 2018 NHL Entry Draft approaching quickly, we take a look at one particular defenseman that the Chicago Blackhawks could take.

What a huge week coming up for the city of Chicago. There is a lot of talk going on about the 2018 NBA Draft next Thursday, and Chicago Bulls fans should be excited. The following night, yet another draft takes place which should amp up fans of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Last season was unfamiliar territory for Blackhawks fans. Missing the playoffs for the first time in the last decade, the Blackhawks simply weren’t the same. After a bit of roster shuffling over the last couple of seasons, some fans wondered if the team made all of the right moves. Nonetheless, next Friday night the franchise will look to add to an already intriguing roster which looks to bounce back in 2018-2019.

One particular player who could help the Blackhawks’ future greatly would be defenseman Ty Smith of the Spokane Chiefs. At the moment, Smith could go anywhere from being a top-10 pick all the way down to the early 20’s. Regardless of where he’s currently ranked by main outlets, he’d fit well for the Blackhawks.

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Smith is coming off a season in which he posted 14 goals and 59 assists for a total of 73 points in 69 games played for Spokane. One of his biggest strengths, as seen by his line from last season, is Smith’s ability to be an offensive force. Smith is one of just seven defensemen to post over one point per game and finished as the only draft-eligible blue-line player to do so — impressive.

He is already well-seasoned when it comes to setting up his teammates and running a power play, which, if you’ve watched Blackhawks hockey over the last few years, you know the power play is an area they have sometimes struggled mightily.

The 18-year-old Smith stands just 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, but in today’s NHL it is not uncommon to see smaller, quicker defensemen succeed. The most notable and top-ranked WHL prospect could provide a level of intelligence at the position that is unprecedented. Smith is known to be one of the smarter kids in the draft and excelled in school, particularly in computer applications — he scored a 98 percent in the class, according to the Spokane Chiefs’ official website.

Smith’s calculated moves on the ice don’t just come out of no where; he’s very precise in what he does, which is why as a quicker, smaller guy he will succeed in the NHL. While some teams may still like the idea of a bigger, stronger defenseman, Smith will prove those teams to be foolish if they pass on him. His intangibles are too good to ignore.

Next: Chicago Bulls Big Board for 2018 NBA Draft

If the Blackhawks want to snag a defenseman who could immediately make the guys around him better, Smith is the man for the job.