Although cap space was the real return for the Penguins when they shipped John Marino to the Devils last offseason, Ty Smith was the centerpiece of what New Jersey sent back. He subsequently spent the vast majority of this past season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, appearing in only nine games up in the NHL.
Unless the soon-to-be general manager intends to bring back Brian Dumoulin, the Penguins will likely need to sign or acquire a top-four, left-handed defenseman this offseason to play alongside either of Kris Letang or Jeff Petry.