Ty Smith's hat trick highlights Devils development camp scrimmage (PHOTOS)

July 14, 2018 - The Star Ledger - View Full Article

2018 first-round pick Ty Smith scored three goals during a scrimmage to close Devils development camp. Watch video

Ty Smith took his best guess trying to remember his last hat trick. He figured it camp some time during midget hockey.

So when Smith potted three goals during the Devils' scrimmage to close development camp on Saturday, he certainly didn't see the hat trick coming.

"It felt pretty good. Coming into today, I just wanted to win the game," the 2018 first-round pick said. "We had some big talk going on in the locker room, so the win was probably the biggest thing."

Smith scored the final three goals for the Red Team, all at 4-on-4, to give his side a 5-4 victory over the White Team. 

When Hynes expects to fill coaching vacancies

Prior to Smith's three goals, Colton White and Eetu Pakkila opened the scoring to give the Red Team a lead it never relinquished.

White ripped a shot under the crossbar from the top of the right circle before Pakkila, the team's 2018 seventh-round pick, pushed in a rebound on the goal line.

After Smith tipped in a pass for his first goal, defenseman Reilly Walsh pulled the White team within 3-1 with a breakaway finish. Smith added his second goal before the end of the first period.

Marian Studenic pulled the White Team within 4-2 early in the second (and final) period before Smith finished off his hat trick for a 5-2 lead.

Yegor Sharangovich and Colby Sissons added a pair of late goals for the White Team, but the Red Team held on during one final push to secure the win.

The scrimmage capped off the week-long camp for Devils prospects, who departed Newark following the game on Saturday. They'll all return to their summer workouts before some return for training camp in September.

While the week revolved around hockey, Smith said some of the most important lessons he learned during his first Devils activities came off the ice.

"Just doing the little things. Treating your body properly and competing," Smith said. "You always think you're competing hard, but then you come here and everyone is competing hard. So continue to raise my compete level and work on strength."

Chris Ryan may be reached at cryan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChrisRyan_NJ. Find NJ.com Devils on Facebook.



When Devils' John Hynes expects to fill coaching staff and what he wants in an assistant

July 14, 2018 - The Star Ledger - View Full Article

Devils coach John Hynes expects to fill the two vacancies on the coaching staff within the next week or so. Watch video

Echoing what general manager Ray Shero said earlier in the week, Devils coach John Hynes expects to fill the team's two vacant assistant coaching spots in the "next week or so."

The Devils have two openings on the coaching staff after Geoff Ward and Ryane Clowe accepted different positions in other organizations following the season. Ward is now an assistant with the Calgary Flames, while Clowe is the head coach for the ECHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Ward was part of Hynes' original staff when he took over as head coach in 2015-16, while Clowe joined him prior to the 2016-17 season. 

Will Schneider be ready for camp?

As Hynes has grown as an NHL head coach, he needs and desired attributes for an assistant coach have also evolved, and he pointed out what he's looking for in a potential candidate.

"The most important thing is guys that are very good teachers and communicators," Hynes said. "I think that have lots of positive energy and they brings energy to the players. In today's day and age, the players need a lot of attention. They need a lot of 1-on-1 talk. They want to know where they stand at all times."

Turnover is natural part of the NHL, whether it's the roster or the coaching staff. Hynes said the two new additions to his staff should help the Devils in taking their next step.

"I think they're going to bring energy and new message, maybe new ideas to what we're trying to do," Hynes said. "I think that's important for our group as we try to move forward."

Chris Ryan may be reached at cryan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChrisRyan_NJ. Find NJ.com Devils on Facebook.