61 replies to this topic

[mindfly]

Red Wings general manager Ken Holland gave a big vote of confidence to defenseman Brendan Smith this week in a CanWest News Service article.

"He's a really good prospect," Holland told the newspaper chain. "I think Brendan could play in the NHL right now. He could play 15 minutes (a night), but I'd rather he play 25-27 minutes in the minors, where he's on the ice all night long."

Smith has 11 points in 12 games as an AHL rookie with the Grand Rapids Griffins.

So... What are you waiting for Mr.Holland? This is what obviously differs red wings' from other franchises, any other franchise would let Smith play in their lineup but not kenny... yeah yeah they've had alot of success by keeping ready players in the AHL, but 15mins a night in the NHL would develope Smith quiet a lot as well...i'm certain of it.

Edited by mindfly, 10 November 2010 - 01:12 PM.

[WhiteLightning91]

Ken Holland > Mindfly

[mindfly]

Seriously if he gets to play in the NHL as a 21 year old he will get the much needed experience and become even greater, he's suppose to be our no.1/2 d-man for the future, he needs to get to the nhl not harve around in the minors...

Just my 2.

[Din758]

who are you implying that we should remove from our current defense?

[mindfly]

who are you implying that we should remove from our current defense?

That could be a problem, but after a quote like this he's got no other choice than to bring him up when next defenseman goes down with injury...Enough with the Janik (though i have nothing against him but come on.. GO SMITH)

[rick zombo]

Kenny drafts. Kenny decides.

The only benefit of having Smith play in Detroit right now would be to pair him with Lidstrom so he can learn from the best. But that wouldn't happen regardless. So let the kid play big minutes in the AHL, rack up a s***-bucket of points, win rookie of the year, make the all-star game and build his confidence (not that he lacks any).

Edit: I do agree that Smith will get a call at some point this season to replace an injured player.

Edited by rick zombo, 10 November 2010 - 01:22 PM.

[Konnan511]

That could be a problem, but after a quote like this he's got no other choice than to bring him up when next defenseman goes down with injury...Enough with the Janik (though i have nothing against him but come on.. GO SMITH)

So a DMan goes down, should Smith get the nod over Kindl then? No.

[titanium2]

He has scored one or two goals straight from the blue line that made the GR announcers say something along the lines of, "Shades of Lidstrom!"

I just hope the days of him being an immature moron are fading away as time goes on.

[rick zombo]

So a DMan goes down, should Smith get the nod over Kindl then? No.

Agreed. But if two are hurt and one is long-term (god forbid), then, cap permitting, Smith will get the nod.

[mindfly]

So a DMan goes down, should Smith get the nod over Kindl then? No.

I think he should, Smith has great career all written over him while Kindl COULD be a solid nhl defenseman but not a Star.

[VM1138]

It'd be cool to see Smith up here, but Holland is right. Better for him to get used to being the go-to guy down there than being a 3rd defenseman who gets into bad habits because he doesn't have to be good every night.

[Broken 16]

Seriously if he gets to play in the NHL as a 21 year old he will get the much needed experience and become even greater, he's suppose to be our no.1/2 d-man for the future, he needs to get to the nhl not harve around in the minors...

Just my 2.

For the Wings, it's all about sharpening fundamentals to the point of near perfection. That's the goal. Not saying it always takes. Why do you think young players seem to slide into the lineup so seamlessly? Are you really questioning the system at this point? Really? Lol.

[mindfly]

I think they have some players in the minors for too long and keep veteran players in the lineup for too long (read maltby last year, draper, holmstrom this year etc)

[T.Low]

Holland is right. Better for him to get used to being the go-to guy down there than being a 3rd defenseman

Winner, winner, chicken dinner.

This is what it's all about.

Yes it would be awesome for Smith to get some time with Lidstrom and maybe he still will, but it's very important to for the guy to development the mindset of a team leader, a go to guy, playing the important minutes. One step at a time; too soon and he may never develop.

[Broken 16]

I think they have some players in the minors for too long and keep veteran players in the lineup for too long (read maltby last year, draper, holmstrom this year etc)

So basically, the two things that set the Wings apart from almost every other team in the NHL, patient development and loyalty, are completely lost on you. Yet you celebrate the Cups. Hmmmmm.

[mindfly]

Just because Holland is the GM and has been very successful doesn't mean everything he do is the best possible thing, I'm just taking this all in a different point of view, I'm thinking about future, not just "enjoy the moment", the team will be in serious trouble if the kids in GR can't perform on NHL level and when lidstrom hangs them up which could very well be at the end of this season

Edited by mindfly, 10 November 2010 - 02:10 PM.

[cupforwings]

Just because Holland is the GM and has been very successful doesn't mean everything he do is the best possible thing, I'm just taking this all in a different point of view, I'm thinking about future, not just "enjoy the moment", the team will be in serious trouble if the kids in GR can't perform on NHL level and when lidstrom hangs them up which could very well be at the end of this season

:facepalm: What you are saying is: it doesn't matter that our team is top 3 in the NHL right now. Instead, we should kick some of these old players out who are helping be a top 3 team in the NHL replace them with rookies because that will help us in the long run. So, instead of being good now, we should worry about being good in the future. Your logic sucks. They will get their chance when the time comes, probably next year.

[St. Michael (the Red Wing)]

Couldn't disagree more after the preseason. But if Kenny is saying it. Sure. Why not. 11 points in 12 games is good. Wanna see him paired with Lids...

[newfy]

He has scored one or two goals straight from the blue line that made the GR announcers say something along the lines of, "Shades of Lidstrom!"

I just hope the days of him being an immature moron are fading away as time goes on.

I never really get why people think he was immature. He got caught drinking at University, thats not immature, NHLers drink why couldn't Smith?

And one fight at a party isnt really that big of a deal either, he's the big shot on campus, some idiot wouldn't leave the party when asked and Smith dealt with him.

Neither things to me make it even seem remotely close to effecting his on ice play

[titanium2]

I never really get why people think he was immature. He got caught drinking at University, thats not immature, NHLers drink why couldn't Smith?

And one fight at a party isnt really that big of a deal either, he's the big shot on campus, some idiot wouldn't leave the party when asked and Smith dealt with him.

Neither things to me make it even seem remotely close to effecting his on ice play

Not what I was talking about at all. I'm talking about being a moron in the locker room; stupid meaningless fights with teammates during practice and getting benched for a couple games the year before last. Then last year he made an improvement as at least he was able to only get benched for one game. With him you always have to worry about signs of Sergei Fedorov behavior on the ice. Hot dogging at its finest.