Heroes of Hockeytown 694 Report post Posted March 11, 2012 Kronwall had some rough times in his first two seasons. His first full two seasons, yes, because that dude had a voodoo curse on him for a while. I remember when he was first called up during Injury Disaster 2004 Edition and he knocked everyone's socks off... right before catching a rut during a pregame skate and breaking his leg. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Wings Addict 787 Report post Posted March 11, 2012 Him coming off the bench last night was like a heat seeking missile to the Kings. Just BAM MOTHAf***A!!! 1 SaCkaveli20 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
St. Michael (the Red Wing) 422 Report post Posted March 11, 2012 Smith looks like an upgrade over Stuart for next season. I agree with this 100% and the fact that Stuart doesn't drop the gloves anymore not that it really matters. I really like Stuart but yeah... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
b.shanafan14 733 Report post Posted March 11, 2012 Smith looks like an upgrade adequate replacement for Stuart for next season. That's better. Stuart is great, a steady defensive defenseman. His absence will hurt, but Smith will definitely help soften the blow. 1 Rick D reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newfy 695 Report post Posted March 11, 2012 Nothing to really write home about tonight but had another pretty big hit along the boards at one point. Hes definitely looked more physical then I expected him too Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Wings Addict 787 Report post Posted March 11, 2012 Nothing to really write home about tonight but had another pretty big hit along the boards at one point. Hes definitely looked more physical then I expected him too Kind of how it starts though right? He's trying to prove how badly he wants to stay. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newfy 695 Report post Posted March 14, 2012 This kids play has been stellar, I think that last d spot is going to be E and Kindl battling it out for playoffs. He had another big hit tonight, Fraser went to hit him and Smith popped him good. http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?hlg=20112012,2,1045&navid=sb:highlights If you go on there and go to hits fraser on Smith is the one Im talking about. He got Brown with one like that last time. I wish some of his hits would show up on youtube. Hes had a big one on Kane, Dustin Brown, Colin Fraser and another one against Nashville along the boards but I dont remember who it was on. Wish I could find some videos! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
b.shanafan14 733 Report post Posted March 14, 2012 This kids play has been stellar, I think that last d spot is going to be E and Kindl battling it out for playoffs. He had another big hit tonight, Fraser went to hit him and Smith popped him good. http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?hlg=20112012,2,1045&navid=sb:highlights If you go on there and go to hits fraser on Smith is the one Im talking about. He got Brown with one like that last time. I wish some of his hits would show up on youtube. Hes had a big one on Kane, Dustin Brown, Colin Fraser and another one against Nashville along the boards but I dont remember who it was on. Wish I could find some videos! I love the way Smith plays. Usually with these call-up defense prospects being noticeable is a bad thing, but not with this kid. He plays with remarkable intelligence, skill, and confidence for a young call-up. He has been making some smart pinches to keep the offense going and is really quick on his skates. Really, he has exceeded pretty high expectations given the situation, adding to the offense whenever he is on the ice and playing pretty responsible in his own zone. Physical, offensively inclined, and defensively savvy. Honestly, come playoffs, both Ericsson and Kindl should be on the outside looking in. I know it probably wouldn't happen, but since White has been playing with Quincey, and has not been his best since Nick went down, and Smith has been pretty phenomenal despite having Janik on the opposite side, I'd love to see Smith given minutes with Lidstrom when he returns (though I'm not sure which side he is used to playing): Lidstrom-Smith Stuart-Kronwall White-Quincey That is a pretty ridiculous Top 6 when healthy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LidstromIsASuperhero 29 Report post Posted March 14, 2012 I agree that Smith has looked good for the most part. He seems to have good offensive instincts and plays a physical game with some snarl in it. However, I think he has to iron out a few flaws before he is really ready to take a large role with this team. He seems prone to defensive blunders, and he was directly responsible for Anze Koptiar's short-handed goal last night when he turned the puck over to him on a no-look pass. I also saw a pretty stupid defensive zone turnover and he seemed out of position at times, one time even going deep into the opposing zone and attempting another no look pass back to the point- where he should have been. That being said, he's got a lot of flashiness to his game and he looks like a stud. He reminds me of Kronwall. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kipwinger 8,458 Report post Posted March 16, 2012 I love the way Smith plays. Usually with these call-up defense prospects being noticeable is a bad thing, but not with this kid. He plays with remarkable intelligence, skill, and confidence for a young call-up. He has been making some smart pinches to keep the offense going and is really quick on his skates. Really, he has exceeded pretty high expectations given the situation, adding to the offense whenever he is on the ice and playing pretty responsible in his own zone. Physical, offensively inclined, and defensively savvy. Honestly, come playoffs, both Ericsson and Kindl should be on the outside looking in. I know it probably wouldn't happen, but since White has been playing with Quincey, and has not been his best since Nick went down, and Smith has been pretty phenomenal despite having Janik on the opposite side, I'd love to see Smith given minutes with Lidstrom when he returns (though I'm not sure which side he is used to playing): Lidstrom-Smith Stuart-Kronwall White-Quincey That is a pretty ridiculous Top 6 when healthy. Still think he's a top pair guy after his two boneheaded turnovers, in two games, leading to two goals? Let's not get ahead of ourselves. 1 Hell Toupee reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightfall 871 Report post Posted March 16, 2012 Still think he's a top pair guy after his two boneheaded turnovers, in two games, leading to two goals? Let's not get ahead of ourselves. He is a rookie, thats for sure. I think he has the capability to be a first or second pairing defenseman. This is why, if he got called up, I would have played him with Lids the entire season. He needs that veteran leadership. What he doesn't need is 9 minutes of ice time per night in the NHL when he can get 22 minutes per night in the AHL. Give him time to develop. That has gone so well in the past with players like Flip, Kronwall, Howard, and so on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Esquire 324 Report post Posted March 16, 2012 Fun Fact: Reilly Smith (his brother) just got the nod for top 10 finalists for the 2012 Hobey Baker. He's got 27 goals as a junior. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
St. Michael (the Red Wing) 422 Report post Posted March 16, 2012 Fun Fact: Reilly Smith (his brother) just got the nod for top 10 finalists for the 2012 Hobey Baker. He's got 27 goals as a junior. Pretty freaking good tbh although it's too bad Dallas drafted him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted March 21, 2012 I just want to say this kid has blown my expectations out of the water. I was hoping for at best a quiet, not noticeable player (ie Quincey when we called him up in the playoffs from GR several years ago). He's got a lot of confidence and he sees the ice and what's available so freaking well. 7 points in his first 13 NHL games is phenomenal, especially if you consider he's a defenseman. The +3 ain't too shabby either, considering how s***ty the Wings collectively have been playing. I will temper my love of this kid by saying he obviously won't replace Lidstrom, or what he means to the team. But I'm comfortable going as far to say he can effectively replace Rafalski, and even surpass him if he stays humble and physical (and tightens up some loose knots in his own zone). In any event this kid was a wonderful draft acquisition. He certainly appears to be the best we've drafted in a while. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kipwinger 8,458 Report post Posted March 21, 2012 He's got a LONG way to go, but I'm certainly impressed with his skill set and his poise. I think I'm most impressed with his skating. 1 Travis reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightfall 871 Report post Posted March 21, 2012 He's got a LONG way to go, but I'm certainly impressed with his skill set and his poise. I think I'm most impressed with his skating. I agree. Maturation takes time. I would rather Smith get through these growing pains in the minors than in the NHL. Case in point, the two turnovers in the defensive zone that resulted in goals a few games back. People here on LGW and other forums I have read gave him a lot of flak. You can bet Smith was giving himself a lot of flak for those plays. That is how you learn in hockey though. Lids was never the perfect human at the start of his career. At the same time though, if he has an opportunity to learn from Lids next year, I say he should be brought up. I just don't like him playing 3rd line minutes when he can get top line minutes in the AHL. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hockeymom1960 5,107 Report post Posted March 21, 2012 I agree. Maturation takes time. I would rather Smith get through these growing pains in the minors than in the NHL. Case in point, the two turnovers in the defensive zone that resulted in goals a few games back. People here on LGW and other forums I have read gave him a lot of flak. You can bet Smith was giving himself a lot of flak for those plays. That is how you learn in hockey though. Lids was never the perfect human at the start of his career. At the same time though, if he has an opportunity to learn from Lids next year, I say he should be brought up. I just don't like him playing 3rd line minutes when he can get top line minutes in the AHL. I disagree, this is the time he should be up. You have no idea if Lidstrom is returning. This time I don't feel a player should rot in the AHL. 2 LidsFan and Nev reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newfy 695 Report post Posted March 22, 2012 Maturation takes time. I would rather Smith get through these growing pains in the minors than in the NHL. He wont have these growing pains in the AHL. Hes too good for that competition and the little s*** he gets away with down there will make him develop habits he cant get away with at this level. He seems to already be ironing some wrinkles out of his game already 3 Rick, redwingfan19 and Nev reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwingfan19 293 Report post Posted March 22, 2012 THis is a 23 year old man we are talking about, not some 19 year old. He has nothing to prove in the AHL anymore and can only get better with NHL experience. He is already much better than Kindl and Ericsson ever were. 1 Detroit \# 1 Fan reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sean 19 Report post Posted March 22, 2012 Looked pretty good to me, tonight. He's the real deal, no doubt. Under the Babs regime, it'll take him more than a few games to move up in the depth chart, but, performance-wise, I don't really see a reason to put him in the A any longer. Nyquist is getting run over too much, he's got a fair bit to go, strength-wise. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted March 22, 2012 Looked pretty good to me, tonight. He's the real deal, no doubt. Under the Babs regime, it'll take him more than a few games to move up in the depth chart, but, performance-wise, I don't really see a reason to put him in the A any longer. Nyquist is getting run over too much, he's got a fair bit to go, strength-wise. I was thinking the same thing, but at the very least he has the spunk to race into the dirty areas and fight for the hard to get pucks. Once he adds a little muscle to him that part of his game should really stand out, especially considering his flair for stick-handling in tight areas. 1 MDtizzle reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wing Across The Pond 196 Report post Posted March 22, 2012 Being over in England I don't get to watch much Minor League hockey (if at all) so he has impressed me greatly. Last night he managed to read plays and cut out passing lanes at least 2 or 3 times. He's like the sort of defenceman we build around and, to a certain extent, wanted Ericsson to be - play smart, sensible hockey that takes away chances before they even begin to develop. He's going to be big, so give him some Major time Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hockeytown0001 7,652 Report post Posted March 22, 2012 He's been playing well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites