2023–24 Time On Ice Stats
Ice Time
Power Play
Short-Handed
Past Fantasy Outlooks
Smaby, a defenseman, was signed to a one-year deal after going scoreless in 32 games for the Lightning in 2010-11. He also had a plus-2 rating and 17 penalty minutes. Smaby was injury prone last year, having missed the last 18 playoff games with a lower body injury. Known as a big physical player, he can make a difference in the lineup provided he stays healthy.
Smaby is an average Joe defender. He's big (6-5 and 240 pounds) but he doesn't exactly use his size well. He has ridden the injury shuttle for just about his entire four-year professional career and projects as nothing more than a possible bottom-pairing interchangeable part on an NHL roster. So much for the promise of a second-round pick.
Smaby is a shutdown defender who won't score more than about 10 points this season; that is, if he manages to stick in the NHL for the whole season. He doesn't have fantasy value in any format.
Smaby is a prototypical Bolt blueline prospect -- big, big and more big. At 6'6" and 240 lbs, Smaby can smack down opposing forwards with ease. And unlike other big Bolt defenders, Smaby is quicker than your average hulk and impressed Bolts' brass in his 14-game NHL debut this past season. Still, he's a shutdown type with limited fantasy value, if any at all.
Samby took a huge developmental leap last season, probably in large part because he finally "grew into" is 6'5" frame. He still has a long way to go but his leadership on the ice cannot be denied. He may wear a C on his Tampa Bay jersey someday but he still has a long way to go.
