52 replies to this topic

[Crymson]

Ericsson's playstyle:

I agree. Wings game have been much more relaxing for me since he's been out. He's decent on the PK, but otherwise he seems to make mistakes about 50% of the time, especially when he's under pressure and needs to act quickly.

[haroldsnepsts]

I agree. Wings game have been much more relaxing for me since he's been out. He's decent on the PK, but otherwise he seems to make mistakes about 50% of the time, especially when he's under pressure and needs to act quickly.

Do you really think he'd have a regular spot in the lineup if every other play he was making a mistake? He doesn't make mistakes anywhere near that percentage of the time because if he did he'd be out of the NHL.

So the pretty clear answer is it has something to do with your perception of things, not Ericsson's actual play. But then I guess we all baselessly bash players sometimes.

[Konnan511]

I agree. Wings game have been much more relaxing for me since he's been out. He's decent on the PK, but otherwise he seems to make mistakes about 50% of the time, especially when he's under pressure and needs to act quickly.

Our defense does look better without him. Now if we could only dump his salary....

[haroldsnepsts]

Our defense does look better without him. Now if we could only dump his salary....

So the defense looks better overall without Lidstrom and Ericsson in the lineup? Because both have been out the same games.

you'd think the defense would be better with Lidstrom in the lineup. Weird.

[kipwinger]

Any chance that the reason you think the defense looks better is not necessarily that Ericsson is out, but rather that Quincey and Smith are in? Quincey and Smith is a better pair than Ericsson and Kindl, or Ericsson and Commodore. Not because there's a problem with Ericsson, Kindl, or Commodore, but that Quincey is just better than all of them?

[blgillett]

Smith has played well enough to be a top 4 defense man and I feel he should be left in the line up now with that said he is the only one that can be sent down I think. I think he is going to be a very good NHL player very soon

[Heaten]

Smith will be sent down when the D is healthy.

Edit:

Why am I getting negged? I didn't say he should be sent down, I said he will be sent down because that's how Holland operates.

Edited by Heaten, 11 March 2012 - 08:24 PM.

[LeftWinger]

Smith will be sent down when the D is healthy.

Edit:

Why am I getting negged? I didn't say he should be sent down, I said he will be sent down because that's how Holland operates.

You get negged because people negg for no reason, then they hide...anyway fortunately there is no roster limit now so Smith can stay even when all are healthy, let's just hope he stays in the lineup. He is better than Ericsson or Kindl (come on E and Kindl slappies, start negging) so he should remain in the lineup throughout the season and playoffs...

[LeftWinger]

Any chance that the reason you think the defense looks better is not necessarily that Ericsson is out, but rather that Quincey and Smith are in? Quincey and Smith is a better pair than Ericsson and Kindl, or Ericsson and Commodore. Not because there's a problem with Ericsson, Kindl, or Commodore, but that Quincey is just better than all of them?

This is my fear for next season. I fear that re-signing Quincey and adding Smith to the lineup will make Holland not want to persue Suter. Even if Stuart leaves. If Lidstrom retires, maybe he may throw an offer out there, but it will be probably be an offer that is lower than Pav's cap hit. Which means Suter will most likely not come here. I know the D is playing ok, but if they lose both Lids and Stuart and miss out on Suter....yikes. But, hey, maybe it won't be so bad. I hear they are really pursuing Dekeyser from WMU and considering his play in the NCAA tournament so far, he will get some serious offers. Plus looking at the Wings d-men in GRR, Dekeyser isn't that far fetched to possibly earning a 6th spot on this roster. You never know what Holland may do...I would hope he would go hard for someone if Lids and Stuart leave, but you just never know...


Kronwall - White
Quincey - Ericsson
Smith - Dekeyser
Kindl

Don't know how that would work, but I can think of a lot worse defense's in the league....

All that being said, I cannot describe how much I hope Holland goes after Suter...

[kipwinger]

This is my fear for next season. I fear that re-signing Quincey and adding Smith to the lineup will make Holland not want to persue Suter. Even if Stuart leaves. If Lidstrom retires, maybe he may throw an offer out there, but it will be probably be an offer that is lower than Pav's cap hit. Which means Suter will most likely not come here. I know the D is playing ok, but if they lose both Lids and Stuart and miss out on Suter....yikes. But, hey, maybe it won't be so bad. I hear they are really pursuing Dekeyser from WMU and considering his play in the NCAA tournament so far, he will get some serious offers. Plus looking at the Wings d-men in GRR, Dekeyser isn't that far fetched to possibly earning a 6th spot on this roster. You never know what Holland may do...I would hope he would go hard for someone if Lids and Stuart leave, but you just never know...


Kronwall - White
Quincey - Ericsson
Smith - Dekeyser
Kindl

Don't know how that would work, but I can think of a lot worse defense's in the league....

All that being said, I cannot describe how much I hope Holland goes after Suter...

Who knows? I don't ever have a clue what's in Holland's head so I'd hate to even speculate on what he's thinking. Suter is a good defenseman, but I don't think he's as good as the money that will get thrown at him, so personally I'd rather not see Holland chase him up in the 7-8 million dollar range. All I know is that I'm happy with the defense we have for the remainder of the season, and that's with any one of Smith, Kindl, and Ericsson as the 6th guy. I also think our powerplay and pk will start shaping up once everybody gets healthy. Finally, I have been more than happy with the way several guys have been stepping up and playing better in the absence of our key guys. If we can keep that up I'm pretty pumped about this team moving forward.

[blgillett]

Smith will be sent down when the D is healthy.

Edit:

Why am I getting negged? I didn't say he should be sent down, I said he will be sent down because that's how Holland operates.

I think you are probably correct like I said its not his play but because he can be sent down with out the worry about loosing him. But will be up full time next year. I really am impressed in his play he is a keeper for sure

Smith will be sent down when the D is healthy.

Edit:

Why am I getting negged? I didn't say he should be sent down, I said he will be sent down because that's how Holland operates.

I think you are probably correct like I said its not his play but because he can be sent down with out the worry about loosing him. But will be up full time next year. I really am impressed in his play he is a keeper for sure

[Heaten]

You get negged because people negg for no reason, then they hide...anyway fortunately there is no roster limit now so Smith can stay even when all are healthy, let's just hope he stays in the lineup. He is better than Ericsson or Kindl (come on E and Kindl slappies, start negging) so he should remain in the lineup throughout the season and playoffs...

Smith needs to be playing in the top 4. I think once the D is healthy, he'll be sent down to get playing time. I like Ericsson better on the bottom pairing. Ericsson gets a lot of unjustified heat on the forums, but he is pretty damn good defensively. He's Perfect #5 guy. Smith is too good to be #5.

[wingsfan4795]

Does anyone else think smith looks bigger than 6'1" 199lbs? On more than one occasion, I've mistaken him for Quincey.

Is the red wings website wrong or does he just play really big

Smith needs to be playing in the top 4. I think once the D is healthy, he'll be sent down to get playing time. I like Ericsson better on the bottom pairing. Ericsson gets a lot of unjustified heat on the forums, but he is pretty damn good defensively. He's Perfect #5 guy. Smith is too good to be #5.

And isn't he the only 2 way contract on D? They obviously won't risk waiving anyone. I like that they have 8 NHL ready defenseman in case of injury