Smyth and Holmstrom

[sergei_is_still_a_wing 1]

lets not forget the hands homer has when he needs them. yes his ass meets the goalies chest 95% of the time, but homer can razzle and dazzle (this is why he put in some sweet shootout goals when everyone thought babs was insane putting him in).

i give you exhibit A:

thats pretty damn nice.

this being said, the nod does go to smyth when talking of who is the more complete player. but based on salary, homers bang for the buck is astronomical.

[toby91_ca 620]

At times, I find myself embarassed at the number of homers on this board (no pun intended).

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Smyth eventually will fade

How so?

At times, I find myself embarassed at the number of homers on this board (no pun intended).

While this is to be expected on any sports forum, I certainly agree with you on this to a certain extent.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

At times, I find myself embarassed at the number of homers on this board (no pun intended).

Yeah...I mean, Smyth vs Holmstrom is not even a debate. It should only take half a second of thought to know that Smyth is without a doubt the better player. This is nothing at all against Homer, but its open and shut.

Smyth is a better leader.

Holmstrom works harder, and is, in general, a better player.

Granted, Smyth has scored more goals a season than Holmstrom has, as Smyth just narrowly missed the 40 goal mark before, but Smyth also makes much more money than he's worth, and doesn't work nearly as hard as Holmstrom does.

Overall, I'd rather have Holmstrom.

By the way, comparing Smyth to Yzerman is a joke. Yzerman is far and beyond a better player in pretty much everything and better leader than Smyth could ever dream to be.

Not a chance Kp! The salary thing i understand...but to say Holmstrom is straight up better????

[Dabura 12,207]

This is a Wings forum -- of course Homer's going to win this battle.

Edited July 29, 2007 by Dabura

[Hockeymom1960 5,107]

Well, let's see:

Homer was second to only Fedorov and Yzerman in scoring in the '98 playoffs.

Homer was third overall in goals on the team in the '02 playoffs.

Homer scored 30 goals in '05-'06 while NOT on a line with Zetterberg and Datsyuk.

Homer is much more hailed for his work ethic, and gets much more attention for his play in front of the net, that does Smyth. Smyth hangs around and nails in rebounds. Homer actually glues himself to the goalie.

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!! I'd take Homer over that greaser any day

[MaynardJKeenan 1]

At times, I find myself embarassed at the number of homers on this board (no pun intended).

I disagree, I believe the pun was intended.

[Kp-Wings 3]

Not a chance Kp! The salary thing i understand...but to say Holmstrom is straight up better????

What exactly does Smyth do other than stand in front of the net and score on rebounds? All of his goals have come that way. Yes, he is a good leader, but he doesn't do very much at a player standpoint.

Holmstrom, while not very often, has actually scored goals before that do require skill.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

In front of the net, Homer is the better guy.

All around, Smyth is the better guy.

Pound for pound, Smyth is the better player.

When salary + terms are factored in, Homer is the better player.

[ben_usmc 253]

how are we being homers? I'm not saying Flip is the next Forsberg, Demolition man and Smyth play the same type of game

[RedWings Gone Wild 6]

Lets see....overpay and spend 3.5-4 mill for Danny Markov or 6 mill for Ryan Smyth....what a difficult decision!! Thats pretty crazy to say. With Sakic soon to be on the way out they need a guy like Smyth...he's perfect to take the reigns over. Im afraid your vastly overrating Markov in this case.

My point was they need gritty defenceman, not offencemen. I certainly don't advocate overpaying Markov to accomplish that, he was an example of the type of player they need to persue if they are serious about becoming contenders. They have plenty of post-sakic offensive potential in their young squad (Stastny, Wolski, ect..) They have vertually zero defence tho, and they will never win a cup without it. I don't expect Smyth to lead them anywhere. That being said, Smyth WILL make them a better team, just that much better because he is filling a position they already have.

[Opie 308]

I think the most important factor when comparing the two is growth. Smyth (IMO) has reached his potential what you see from him is what you are going to get.

Homer, on the other hand, is just starting to develop. He is a hard worker and busts his ass every shift. He is starting to be rewarded for that effort with top line minutes and line mates. Yeah sure playing with D and Z will make your stats better. Especially when you watch that first goal he scored from the Anaheim game were he had 2 goals and 1 assist plus the concussion, D going through the middle distracted the D-man and gave Holmstrom the opening. But if you watch highlights how many times do you see a guy miss the net or hit the goalie in the chest (not mentioning names).

Homer buried that shot, which to get back to the point, shows that he is developing still. He is now starting to use his wrist shot more. If he continues to play with either Dats or Z or both, watch for him to develop a little Hully to his game. Finding the seam in the D to unleash a one timer from the slot.

Again with Smyth what you see is what you get.

Yes Smyth is the better all around player, right now, but I think after this season, we will all want to re-evaluate that statement.

[Guest Crymson]

Homer is nearly the player that Smyth is, he costs half the price, he works harder, he is far more humble, and he's more loyal to the Wings than Smyth will ever be to any team. Plus, he's a fan favorite.

While Smyth's role as team and locker-room leader was certainly valuable in Edmonton, we have no want for leadership and example on this team--and don't you forget that Homer is one of the best example-setters in the league. His work-ethic is legendary.

I'd love to see one of the practices which includes Homer attempting to deflect pucks past Hasek. With how much the two of them expect out of themselves, and how much they crave getting the job done, I don't know if either of them would ever leave. lol. Get them a puck-shooting machine and leave 'em there all night.

Edited July 30, 2007 by Crymson

[RollWings19 0]

How about Crosby vs. Homer? Homer's contract is much more affordable, and he is better at standing in front of the net. I choose Homer.

I think that's what this thread has slowly dissolved into...

[North Guy 0]

While Smyth's role as team and locker-room leader was certainly valuable in Edmonton, we have no want for leadership and example on this team--and don't you forget that Homer is one of the best example-setters in the league. His work-ethic is legendary.

A few of you have mentioned how great is Holmstrom's work ethic. But come on, Smyth is known around the league as one of the hardest workers in the league. He plays every shift like it's his last.

[wingnut22 81]

Well, let's see:

Homer was second to only Fedorov and Yzerman in scoring in the '98 playoffs.

Homer was third overall in goals on the team in the '02 playoffs.

Homer scored 30 goals in '05-'06 while NOT on a line with Zetterberg and Datsyuk.

Homer is much more hailed for his work ethic, and gets much more attention for his play in front of the net, that does Smyth. Smyth hangs around and nails in rebounds. Homer actually glues himself to the goalie.

Great points. I couldnt agree with you more. I would take Homer over Smyth any day.

[Guest Crymson]

A few of you have mentioned how great is Holmstrom's work ethic. But come on, Smyth is known around the league as one of the hardest workers in the league. He plays every shift like it's his last.

Holmstrom is also known as one of the hardest workers in the league, so what's your point? On top of that, he has garnered an immense amount of respect throughout his career for working through the sheer amount of punishment he always takes in front of the goalie, punishment which Smyth never takes it upon himself to endure.

Read this: http://www.nhl.com/columns/wigge/holmstrom030306.html

Edited July 30, 2007 by Crymson

[North Guy 0]

Holmstrom is also known as one of the hardest workers in the league, so what's your point? On top of that, he has garnered an immense amount of respect throughout his career for working through the sheer amount of punishment he always takes in front of the goalie, punishment which Smyth never takes it upon himself to endure.

Read this: http://www.nhl.com/columns/wigge/holmstrom030306.html

Hello?

The sentence I highlighted in bold-type is what hockey fans, insiders, and pundits say when describing Ryan Smyth. He is not known for his speed, shot, or playmaking...he is infamous as the guy who does all of his work and receive all of his punishment in front of the goalie, thus Mr. Garbage Goals.

Or to put it another way when you watched hockey games how many times have you heard the TV commentator say "Holmstrom is like a Swedish Ryan Smyth" or "Holmstrom's style is like Ryan Smyth"? Have you heard anyone say "Ryan Smyth plays like Holmstrom"?

p.s. Nothing against Holmstrom but has Holmstrom gotten three teeth knocked out by an errant puck and came back to set up an overtime goal in the playoffs?

[norrisnick 1]

Smyth is a better all around player than Homer, but Homer is better at what he does and Smyth is most certainly not more than TWICE the player Holmstrom is (contracts).

[Guest Crymson]

Hello?

The sentence I highlighted in bold-type is what hockey fans, insiders, and pundits say when describing Ryan Smyth. He is not known for his speed, shot, or playmaking...he is infamous as the guy who does all of his work and receive all of his punishment in front of the goalie, thus Mr. Garbage Goals.

Or to put it another way when you watched hockey games how many times have you heard the TV commentator say "Holmstrom is like a Swedish Ryan Smyth" or "Holmstrom's style is like Ryan Smyth"? Have you heard anyone say "Ryan Smyth plays like Holmstrom"?

p.s. Nothing against Holmstrom but has Holmstrom gotten three teeth knocked out by an errant puck and came back to set up an overtime goal in the playoffs?

I have never heard Holmstrom called "a Swedish Ryan Smyth." I have only ever heard the two compared to each other. Holmstrom's style of play has become synonymous with screening the goalie and causing the goalie great grief in general. Smyth hangs around the net and bangs in rebounds. He does not glue himself in front of the goalie and take punishment as does Homer.

Getting teeth knocked out happens to every hockey player, and it doesn't really affect one's gameplay. Ask Dan Cleary. In any event, Holmstrom has taken punishment in every form imaginable, and twice as much as Smyth to boot.

Edited July 30, 2007 by Crymson

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Good grief, by some of the posts in here in seems like Smyth is no better than a pee-wee hockey player. Again, Holmstrom being so good at what he does shouldn't take away how good of a player Smyth is, and vice versa.

[Hockeyguru 0]

2 players won't take you from out of the playoffs to #1 in the playoffs.

Can anyone say crosby and malkin? But I do see your point. Because Ryan smith is not the caliber player that Crosby is, and not that this is a debate on the two, I was just saying that two players can turn a whole franchise around. But Homer IMO is a better player

Edited July 31, 2007 by Hockeyguru

[Guest Crymson]

Or to put it another way when you watched hockey games how many times have you heard the TV commentator say "Holmstrom is like a Swedish Ryan Smyth" or "Holmstrom's style is like Ryan Smyth"? Have you heard anyone say "Ryan Smyth plays like Holmstrom"?

As long as you're bringing up a hockey game, see Versus announcer's comments here:

(After Homer scores a diving goal off a rebound) "Tomas Holmstrom--there are none better at the front of the cage."

[Opie 308]

Crymson,

I remember lots of times in the postseason where the players behind the desk where saying there is no one better in front of the net than Homer. At one point I don't remember if it was Hully on NBC or Engblom on Vs but they showed Bert in front of the net.

Pause: I am not dogging on Bert here making a point about Homer:

They showed him wince and turn away from the puck, which is exactly what I would do if Schnieds unleashed a bomb at me!!!!!! BTW. And this is why I think it was Hully, he mentioned that if it were Homer he would have stayed there and tried to deflect the puck. Which as Hully pointed out, screens the goalie and gives Homer a chance to change the pucks direction, because his eyes were open and he wasn't moving.

He went on to say that by turning away from the puck Bert gave away to the goalie where the puck was headed so he just had to move to that side and not worry about 5 hole or the other side of the net as much.

Edit: I think Clement then said Smyth is pretty good there too, and Hully retorted with a s*** eating grin (you know you can picture it on his face right now) not as good as Homer.

The reason I think it is Hully is because as I recall he actually called him Homer.

Edited July 31, 2007 by Opie