Smith to be on Wings next season?

[WorkingOvertime 536]

The Red Wings are counting on top prospect Brendan Smith to make the team next season. He’s a strong skater, passer and shooter who likes to rush the puck, but like many young players, needs to improve defensively. The club believes it’s better if he makes the transition to the NHL next season — while Lidstrom is still around -- than in 2012-13.

I saw this within an article on Raffy today. I thought it was interesting because Smith appeared to be be making 'rookie' mistakes even toward the end of the Griffins' season. However, I think having him play with Lids is probably be the best thing for his development.

Full article is here- http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2011/05/red_wings_brian_rafalski_will_4.html

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

Doubtful. I think he'll be in GR next year.

[Crashnburnluder 385]

If we are having smith and kindl in our lineup next season we better be using Money toasted some scoring depth.

[WorkingOvertime 536]

Doubtful. I think he'll be in GR next year.

I would have agreed with you before the article, but it clearly states the Wings would like him to learn from Lids. IMO this is probably a good decision long-term, but it may hurt the team next season.

[Jesusberg 1,256]

Not to nitpick, but the title is a bit misleading. In an article on NHL.com Holland insists that it's more of a "see what happens" kind of thing, and that he's going to have to fill some roles with FA's.

"Is Jakub Kindl ready for a bigger role? Is Brendan Smith ready to play in the NHL?" Holland said. "These are things we're going to have to find out. Certainly we need one or two more veterans signed this summer. We're going to sign somebody. It's a matter of how much and who and how big of a role. Obviously, Nick's decision is going to factor into how active we are on July 1 (the first day of NHL free agency)."

NHL Article

[WorkingOvertime 536]

Not to nitpick, but the title is a bit misleading. In an article on NHL.com Holland insists that it's more of a "see what happens" kind of thing, and that he's going to have to fill some roles with FA's.

NHL Article

I hadn't seen that article, and I did find it out that my quote was in the middle of an article.

[dropkickshanahans 463]

Too soon imo, but I wouldn't mind if he was brought up every now and then to play alongside Lids, which was probably going to happen anyway (getting brought up a few games).

[hooon 1,089]

Misleading title.

Nothing in that article that hasn't been said by Holland a million times. I recall Holland stating Smith will not be "given" a spot at any point. He will compete and try to earn it like anyone else. Sounds like a decision that will be made in camp.

[e_prime 1,936]

Holland never plays his hand when it comes to prospects. I'd love to see Smith ready for the "bigs." ...but honesly, with all the question marks with our Defense moving into next year. I'm more than willing to err on the side of caution when it comes to Smith.

[Konnan511 1,736]

The OP Title is misleading. The Wings "hope" he makes strides, enough of a stride to make the team. They're hoping he is ready, they aren't saying he'll be on the team.

[WorkingOvertime 536]

Misleading title.

Nothing in that article that hasn't been said by Holland a million times. I recall Holland stating Smith will not be "given" a spot at any point. He will compete and try to earn it like anyone else. Sounds like a decision that will be made in camp.

It won't let me change the title, but I agree to a degree.

Prior to the article quoted in the OP, it was believed that Smith would have a 'chance' at camp, but that he would likely play another year. This article is new in that it shows that the organization wants him to be ready enough to play at the NHL in 2011-2012 to learn from Lids. I believe, prior to this article, that previous comments were more of the same about prospects making the Wings (he'll have a chance, but ultimately come up short) while this article says they want him to make the transition this year.

[South Dakota wings fan 7]

The nice thing is they can give Smith a taste of the big time if they want to and still send him down for more seasoning without fear of losing him on waivers. I wouldn't be surprised to see him get some spot duty in case of injuries.

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

No. let him grab top minutes in GR, gain experience, and maybe a few games at the end of the season. Let him mature one more year, then bring him up.

[BigWillieStyle 662]

So, Lidstrom is going to sign a 2 way, so he can go and tutor Smith in GR?

[akustyk 84]

don't see this coming.

Kindl will get roster spot if Kenny doesn't fish a big name D-man in free market. but Smith... very un-Holland-like

[grwingfan 21]

No. let him grab top minutes in GR, gain experience, and maybe a few games at the end of the season. Let him mature one more year, then bring him up.

This

[HankthaTank 1,100]

Yeah, he still needs time in GR and be used as that callup if need be during the season. It's most likely Kindl's spot and not sure if this story about Ericsson turning down a 2 mill a year deal is accurate considering I have seen no sources whatsoever, just hearsay. Regardless, we are making a deal for someone this off season whether it be through trade or FA, most like trade. We still need to see some more from this kid and it's very unlike the Wings to bring a player up so early.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

If we are having smith and kindl in our lineup next season we better be using Money toasted some scoring depth.

If its one thing the Wings have in spades, its scoring depth. I'd prefer to see them spend it on defense, where it belongs.

[eva unit zero 271]

The Wings only have Kronwall, Stuart, and Kindl signed for next season from this year's team.

Assuming Lidstrom comes back, we have a hole in our top four from Raffi, and questions about Ericsson and Salei. Ericsson seems to want way more than he's worth, and Salei was losing his spot to Kindl at the end of the year.

So the Wings go out and sign a guy like Ehrhoff/Pitkanen/Wisniewski/Bieksa to replace Rafalski. Kindl moves into the top six. Now we have to add one more defenseman to the top six-probably a stay-at-home type, and add a spare. I don't think either of those guys will be Smith. Smith comes in the year after when he has no more waiver options, and the team either lets the new stay at home guy go or lets Stuart go.

[Rice 42]

If its one thing the Wings have in spades, its scoring depth. I'd prefer to see them spend it on defense, where it belongs.

I don't think that's necessarily true. If you look at the playoffs, Datsyuk and Zetterberg were really the only ones that could be counted on. Obviously Franzen was hurt, but past that... can you really count on Hudler, Cleary, Holmstrom, Bertuzzi, and Filppula night after night?

I think you'd be crazy if you said you'd take that group over Clowe, Setoguchi, Pavelski, Couture, etc.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

I don't think that's necessarily true. If you look at the playoffs, Datsyuk and Zetterberg were really the only ones that could be counted on. Obviously Franzen was hurt, but past that... can you really count on Hudler, Cleary, Holmstrom, Bertuzzi, and Filppula night after night?

I agree. These guys were able to beat up on the Yotes but when it came time to play the Sharks again, the secondary scoring wasn't a big enough factor. And for the second year in a row, as well. Not that there seems to be a whole lot that can be done about it.

[Konnan511 1,736]

No. let him grab top minutes in GR, gain experience, and maybe a few games at the end of the season. Let him mature one more year, then bring him up.

Bar down.

[IllinoisRedWingsFan 49]

I personally think while Smith has excellent potential he needs to be in GR for another year. However if needed they could call him up for short times thru out the year.

[hooon 1,089]

I don't think that's necessarily true. If you look at the playoffs, Datsyuk and Zetterberg were really the only ones that could be counted on. Obviously Franzen was hurt, but past that... can you really count on Hudler, Cleary, Holmstrom, Bertuzzi, and Filppula night after night?

I think you'd be crazy if you said you'd take that group over Clowe, Setoguchi, Pavelski, Couture, etc.

And yet we outscored the Sharks in the regular season, and were the 2nd highest team in the league in scoring.

Who cares what SJ has? What does that have to do with the Wings?

Its always nice to have more scoring on the team, but honestly in a year like this our number 1 priority is defense.

[Travis 576]

I'm sure I sound like a broken record, but he needs another year in Grand Rapids. He might be NHL-ready if you're talking about the Oilers or Islanders, but last I saw - he was pretty far from where he needs to be in order to wear red and white on days that aren't Friday.