newfy 695 Report post Posted July 29, 2010 As I go through and read about Smith and his great ability to play hockey, the soting reports also seem to slip in a comment about his physical play. I've read he plays fairly dirty with hacks and whacks, takes the body hard and will put guys on their ass, and at dropyourgloves,com I noticed that he had a fight with Richard Greenop that he won. Greenop is one of the toughest enforcers in the AHL right now. I know Smith has good size at about 6'2 but what does everyone here think of Smith's physical game. I know he won't be a fighter in the NHL but could he be a dirtier version of Nick Kronwall? Had he played in the OHL instead of college maybe his nasty side wouldve been more obvious and we would have more info on it. Discuss.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Booster313 138 Report post Posted July 29, 2010 If he is as skilled as the Wings would like him to turn out to be it's highly likely they will curtail any natural reaction he has to fight... The Wings don't like their skilled players getting injured unnecessarily. That's not to say he might not lay a hit here and there... I hope he ends up having a pronger type style. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newfy 695 Report post Posted July 29, 2010 If he is as skilled as the Wings would like him to turn out to be it's highly likely they will curtail any natural reaction he has to fight... The Wings don't like their skilled players getting injured unnecessarily. That's not to say he might not lay a hit here and there... I hope he ends up having a pronger type style. A poor man's Pronger would be nice. Dirty in front of the net, hits hard but because of his skill level only fights when really necessary. If Smith becomes that type of player I wold be happy, same with if he became a Kronwall type that plays a little dirtier Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwingfan19 293 Report post Posted July 29, 2010 I would compare smith to quincey in terms of physical play. not overly physical but a guy who will finish his checks and lay the odd guy out. He will stick up for himself and teammates. Add that to his offensive game and you got something special, future captan material. Sky is the limit for smith but he's got to work on his attitude. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newfy 695 Report post Posted July 29, 2010 I would compare smith to quincey in terms of physical play. not overly physical but a guy who will finish his checks and lay the odd guy out. He will stick up for himself and teammates. Add that to his offensive game and you got something special, future captan material. Sky is the limit for smith but he's got to work on his attitude. Yeah that Captain material thing is kind of what I was thinking of. His point producing ability is through the roof, but it seems like weve finally got ourselves one of those coveted mean players that can play the game at a high level. As for the Quincy comparison, he really started turning on his physical play trying to make the Detroit roster. If Smith is that physical plus has about number 2 defenseman skill, he will for sure be a special player Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doc Holliday 1,888 Report post Posted July 29, 2010 I would think NCAA would be dirtier than OHL considering everyone in college wears a full cage and isn't as afraid to try and take someone's head off. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwingfan19 293 Report post Posted July 29, 2010 I would think NCAA would be dirtier than OHL considering everyone in college wears a full cage and isn't as afraid to try and take someone's head off. i guess you have not watched OHL Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newfy 695 Report post Posted July 29, 2010 I would think NCAA would be dirtier than OHL considering everyone in college wears a full cage and isn't as afraid to try and take someone's head off. Yeah but also isn't it a league built more around skill with less dirty players because s*** like that is tolerated much less. Thas how I've always viewed the NCAA anyways Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jollymania 162 Report post Posted July 29, 2010 Smith is an excellent hitter, could easily be as deadly as kronner or stuey, 2 other guys who can bring it in the future are Lashoff and Kolosov Yeah but also isn't it a league built more around skill with less dirty players because s*** like that is tolerated much less. Thas how I've always viewed the NCAA anyways ncaa is much dirtier, they aren't aloud to take out their anger and they wear cages which ends up in a ton of cheapshots Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwingfan19 293 Report post Posted July 29, 2010 (edited) youtube zac rinaldo, he plays for the knights but is in the philly organization ( surprise, surprise ). there are many like him and meaner in the OHL and all thorough out the CHL. edit: rinaldo plays for barrie now Edited July 29, 2010 by redwingfan19 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doc Holliday 1,888 Report post Posted July 29, 2010 i guess you have not watched OHL I have watched both. I live 5 minutes away from Compuware so I tend to see a few Whalers games a year. I haven't seen a huge difference between the two. OHL has plenty of dirty and gritty hits involved, but at the same time is faster which likely makes things look much worse as compared to the NCAA (compared to the speed of today's game compared to when Gordie Howe played and the tolerance of cheap hitting between the two). Either way, from what little I've seen of Smith, I like him. Always love a bruising defender. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwingfan19 293 Report post Posted July 29, 2010 (edited) I have watched both. I live 5 minutes away from Compuware so I tend to see a few Whalers games a year. I haven't seen a huge difference between the two. OHL has plenty of dirty and gritty hits involved, but at the same time is faster which likely makes things look much worse as compared to the NCAA (compared to the speed of today's game compared to when Gordie Howe played and the tolerance of cheap hitting between the two). Either way, from what little I've seen of Smith, I like him. Always love a bruising defender. well, maybe I haven't seen enough NCAA, I see the odd game on tv but CHL hockey is mad dirty. If NCAA is as dirty as you guys say then I will make an attempt to watch more because I love tough, dirty, hockey. And yes, smith is going to be beastly. Love how the wings are drafting more complete players these last few years. Edited July 29, 2010 by redwingfan19 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted July 29, 2010 I have watched both. I live 5 minutes away from Compuware so I tend to see a few Whalers games a year. Serious question. Do you know how long you live away from Ozzie? You can't be that far. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newfy 695 Report post Posted July 29, 2010 (edited) Smith is an excellent hitter, could easily be as deadly as kronner or stuey, 2 other guys who can bring it in the future are Lashoff and Kolosov . Have you seen much of him play or are you gong off scouting reports kinda like I am. I would love to hear from someone who has watched him play a bit to see more what hi style is. Nicastro is suposedly a huge hitter from what I've read and Piche can take care of business. Seems like the wings have some hard hitters coming up in the future. Oh and I like Lashoff because he has shown he could be a very capable fighter when he decides to go. Edited July 29, 2010 by newfy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwingfan19 293 Report post Posted July 29, 2010 don't forget erdhart and possibly cord Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newfy 695 Report post Posted July 29, 2010 Just thought I would throw this out there, in Smiths last season of Junior A he had 90 PIMs in 39 games. Thats quite a bit for a 17 year old most of the season playing against 20 year olds. I think over the course of 82 games that would prorate to about 190 PIMs (might be wrong though). Seems like he does have a serious mean streak in him Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029 Report post Posted July 29, 2010 Just thought I would throw this out there, in Smiths last season of Junior A he had 90 PIMs in 39 games. Thats quite a bit for a 17 year old most of the season playing against 20 year olds. I think over the course of 82 games that would prorate to about 190 PIMs (might be wrong though). Seems like he does have a serious mean streak in him He has the potential to be a hell of a player. Hopefully he doesn't lose the mean streak as he develops. As for the OHL and the NCAA, both have their fair share of cheapshots. The NCAA has the full face cage but there's plenty of cheap shots to go around in the OHL as well. I think the mandatory visor rule in the AHL and OHL,as well as the mandatory full face cage in the NCAA is bogus because you see so many guys taking runs and cheap shots and hiding behind their visors or cages.Plus,if i remember correct, there is not a lot of toleration for fighting in the NCAA. Just ask Brian Burke about the NCAA mandatory face protection rule. I think each player should have the choice of wearing a visor or not,regardless of what league. Yes,there are horrible injuries that happen, but that's the risk you take when you play the game. More and more hands are fractured and broken from punching a visor, its ludicrous. Anyway, i can't wait to see what Smith can bring to the table Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Booster313 138 Report post Posted July 29, 2010 Serious question. Do you know how long you live away from Ozzie? You can't be that far. I live about 20min from, I make it a point to drive by his house everytime I go to plymouth. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
