Ty Smith finds himself in a precarious situation in his secondtraining campwith the Devils.The 19-year-old, whom the Devils drafted No. 17overall in 2018, failed to make the team's roster last fall andreturned to his junior team in the Western Hockey League, the Spokane Ian Happ Jersey Chiefs.If the NHL bra s wanted to see continued development from Smith last year, they sure got it he scored 69 points in just 57 games played, led Spokane to the WHL conference finalsandto top it all off.After the Devils' preseason game against the Bruins on Monday, Smith saidhe feels more comfortable in his second go-around in an NHLtraining camp."Some new faces, but mostly guys I'm pretty familiar with from playing a couple preseason games last David Ross Jersey year and going through camp," Smithtold Sporting News."It's been pretty fun so far, so I hope that continues."Team management has not yet determined whether he's readyfor the NHL this year, but it seems is ready for a jump to tougher competition. Unfortunately, though,Smith's only options this year are theNHL or juniors once more.Asbefore training camp started, the league's agreement with the Canadian major junior leagues requires players younger than 20 to return totheir junior team if they are not a signed to the NHL.For Smith, itmeans he can't play with the Devils' AHL affiliate in Binghamton, N.Y., yet even if it would best serve his development this season.He played an impre sive game against the Bruins to open his preseason campaign. Smithnotchedtwo a sists and skatedmore (23:16)than anyone else on New Jersey's roster in a4-3 overtime win. Even star defensemanP.K. Subban, completely new to the organization,took notice." Smith , he's a young guy, but man he looks good out there," Subban said.In hisnext gameon Mike Montgomery Jersey Wednesdayagainst the Rangers, Smithskated fewer minutes than any other Devils defenseman and was attributed withthree giveaways. The Devils won that game, too,but it was a very John Lackey Jersey different evening forthe young blueliner.Smith's playmay not need to be perfected in order for him to make the NHL roster, buton a defense that now includes a true top-pairing defenderin Subban in addition to last year's regulars, it could be hard for Devils coach John Hynes to find a regularplace for Smith. Teams want prospects to skate a lot of minutes more than anything else as they develop.The Devilsi sued Smith No. 24 when he arrived in New Jersey for training camp. In his third exhibition game,No. 24 , against the Islanders. It will be Smith's second game in a row playing with Severson, a five-year league veteran.Smith told reporters hehopes the familiarity they gained against the Rangerscanallow him to play a strongergame against the Islanders."If I see a play I think I just have to make it," ."Use my skating ability Andre Dawson Jersey to my advantage, my playmaking ability, and I think I just kind of need to have some fun. Im a younger guy here, and I think thats something lots of younger guys forget coming in. Theyre thinking about every factor, everything but just having fun."When Im playing my best, Im having fun out there obviously working hard, so Im being competitive, but definitely trying to have some fun, skate, and make plays."