On July 25, 2024, Will Butcher signed with Barys Astana of the KHL. Just over a year later, another once-promising New Jersey Devils defenseman followed a similar path when Ty Smith announced he would also be heading overseas, signing with Dinamo Minsk.
What happened to these two highly regarded blueliners? How did their careers diverge so drastically from expectations?
Will Butcher began his NHL journey after being drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in 2013. However, he chose not to sign with Colorado, instead joining the New Jersey Devils in August 2017. In his NHL debut, Butcher made an immediate impact, tallying three points, becoming the first player in Devils history to do so.
He capped off an impressive rookie campaign in 2017–18 with 44 points and a spot on the NHL All-Rookie Team. In 2019, he earned a three-year, $11.2 million contract extension with the Devils.
But Butcher’s momentum didn’t last. His production declined in the following seasons. In 2022, he was traded to the Dallas Stars for future considerations. He later played for both Dallas and the Pittsburgh Penguins before leaving the NHL altogether.
Exactly one year ago, Butcher announced he had signed with Barys Astana of the KHL.
A few months later he went to play for EHC Red Bull Munich. Reflecting on his career abroad, Butcher told Derek O'Brien of The Hockey News:
“A few years ago, my wife and I went on holiday to Munich and were already impressed by the people and the city. I am convinced that my style of play fits in very well with Red Bull’s philosophy. From a hockey perspective, the team has also been successful in recent years.”
Now, Ty Smith is charting a similar course.
Drafted 17th overall by the Devils in 2018, Smith also flashed early promise. Like Butcher, he earned NHL All-Rookie Team honors and was viewed as a core piece of the Devils’ future blue line. Smith and Butcher only shared the ice for one season (2020–21), but both were seen as rising stars in New Jersey.
Yet, much like Butcher, Smith’s performance plateaued. Inconsistency and struggles to solidify his place in the lineup ultimately derailed his NHL career. Last week, he announced his move to the KHL, signing with Dinamo Minsk.
Although Butcher is five years older and their timelines didn’t fully align, their stories echo each other: two promising defensemen with strong starts, derailed by injury and inconsistency.
Once viewed as pillars of the Devils’ rebuild, both Butcher and Smith now continue their careers overseas, reminders of how quickly NHL careers can change.
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