NEWARK — Devante Smith-Pelly's success with the Devils has been followed closely in Montreal.
With seven goals and three assists in his first nine games for the Devils since the Feb. 29 trade that sent Stefan Matteau to the Canadiens, it has not been lost on Habs fans or the Montreal media that GM Marc Bergevin may have let a quality player get away.
He's become a go-to guy for Devils' coach John Hynes.
"For sure. He's earned that right," Hynes said after Smith-Pelly scored the winning goal in Sunday's 2-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.