Son of a Wing 1,644 Report post Posted November 18, 2013 Really? I thought a young player, who didn't have the luxury of learning from the perfect human and just takes a bit more time to find his game would be the worst DetroitRedWings defender ever? I like the guy and still believe he is going to become a very serviceable top 4 defender. K seriously dude what's the deal. 1 PavelValerievichDatsyuk reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Secret 304 Report post Posted November 18, 2013 Not everyone can walk in and be a stand out like Dekeyser. I was one that regularly said the same thing about Ericsson that most are saying about Smith now. Ericsson took his time but is finding his ground and Smith will be the same. For now enjoy Dekeyser's success unti Smitty finds his ground. Oh. What about that Kindl guy? 2 years ago I'd have said he was on his way out of town but he has actually finally proven some worth. Patience. It will be worth it. 4 Echolalia, Austrianwing, sjr2012 and 1 other reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PumpkinEscobar 136 Report post Posted November 18, 2013 All I know is it better be Quincey's last season in Detroit 2 BadgerBob and sjr2012 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted November 18, 2013 For the record I'm among the group that believes Smith's long-term potential upside is massive, and it is worth keeping him around and putting him on the ice so he can develop into a solid defensman. The first 14 games he had as a call up she showed incredible offensive instinct. I still believe this kid can be the next gen Rafalski once he learns how to incorporate his type of game into Babcock's system. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CMatt89 63 Report post Posted November 18, 2013 Smitty and Deke are the future of this D corps. Learn to respect it. 2 Hockeymom1960 and marcaractac reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Euro_Twins 4,476 Report post Posted November 18, 2013 Quincey seems to make everyone worse, smith has played better without Quincey, hopefully babs realizes this and scratches Quincey when smith returns and never plays them together again. I know it's a pipe dream though 2 Z Winged Dangler and BadgerBob reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BottleOfSmoke 5,965 Report post Posted November 18, 2013 @AnsarKhanMLive: Update from Wings practice, with injury report and lines. http://t.co/x8d3vpnK5d Sounds like Turd Ferguson has started to gain some insight... Bonus points for saying that Kronner has "good gap." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joesuffP 1,746 Report post Posted November 18, 2013 (edited) Kronwall-Dekeseyer Ericsson-Smith Should be the top 4. Those guys can eat up the majority of the minutes and let Kindl and Quincey get easy minutes. I know Ericsson just got back from injury but since his return him and Kronwall don't seem to look as good as Kronwall with DD Edited November 18, 2013 by joesuffP 2 Son of a Wing and Hockeymom1960 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nuts2u 22 Report post Posted November 18, 2013 All I know is it better be Quincey's last season in Detroit I'm still trying to figure out why Quincey was not sent down to clear cap space. Cleary and Q sucking air with the Griffins would clear almost 5 MILLION and they both suck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmyemeryhunter 2,747 Report post Posted November 19, 2013 If there were ever a time to try smith up front, it would be now. 1 Dabura reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dabura 12,207 Report post Posted November 19, 2013 If there were ever a time to try smith up front, it would be now. Yay, now TWO whole people agree with me! 2 Hockeymom1960 and BadgerBob reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmyemeryhunter 2,747 Report post Posted November 19, 2013 (edited) Yay, now TWO whole people agree with me!I'm not sure how he'd do, but its worth a shot with 7 d men up.Especially if alfies out again. Edited November 19, 2013 by jimmyemeryhunter 1 Dabura reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frankgrimes 1,836 Report post Posted November 19, 2013 All I know is it better be Quincey's last season in Detroit I'm still trying to figure out why Quincey was not sent down to clear cap space. Cleary and Q sucking air with the Griffins would clear almost 5 MILLION and they both suck. Thanks to be stupid new CBA, you can only burry 1 million at max from the cap space, the other money is used to support .... we all know what. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmyemeryhunter 2,747 Report post Posted November 19, 2013 Thanks to be stupid new CBA, you can only burry 1 million at max from the cap space, the other money is used to support .... we all know what. Do you think the owners regret the lockout yet? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
derblaueClaus 1,668 Report post Posted November 19, 2013 I'm interested to see how the transition works tonight with Smith in the lineup again. Maybe he is already much more important for our team than most of us (me included) realize. 2 canadian wings fan and Hockeymom1960 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Z Winged Dangler 2,082 Report post Posted November 19, 2013 Kronwall-Dekeseyer Ericsson-Smith Should be the top 4. Those guys can eat up the majority of the minutes and let Kindl and Quincey get easy minutes. I know Ericsson just got back from injury but since his return him and Kronwall don't seem to look as good as Kronwall with DD If only our 5-6 behind that excellent top 4 was Kindl-Ouellet. I can't wait for guys to fight to keep their spot from Sproul as well, who is now kicking serious ass in GR. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dabura 12,207 Report post Posted November 19, 2013 If only our 5-6 behind that excellent top 4 was Kindl-Ouellet. I can't wait for guys to fight to keep their spot from Sproul as well, who is now kicking serious ass in GR. I take some comfort in the knowledge that our blue line is going to be really, really awesome - in 50 years. DeKeyser. Smith. Almqvist. Ouellet. Sproul. Maybe Marchenko. Hellllzzz yeah. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hockeymom1960 5,107 Report post Posted November 20, 2013 I hope Brendan has an awesome game tonight! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nyquistfan14 489 Report post Posted November 20, 2013 Smith played well tonight. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DatsyukToZetterberg 128 Report post Posted November 20, 2013 (edited) Smith played well tonight.Much, much better from Smith tonight. He was one of the lone positives for us. Edited November 20, 2013 by DatsyukToZetterberg Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nyquistfan14 489 Report post Posted November 20, 2013 Much, much better from Smith tonight. He was one of the lone positives for us. I think he needs power play time, and I think they need to put him in offensive situations to help get him back to where he was a while ago Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Son of a Wing 1,644 Report post Posted November 20, 2013 I take some comfort in the knowledge that our blue line is going to be really, really awesome - in 50 years. DeKeyser. Smith. Almqvist. Ouellet. Sproul. Maybe Marchenko. Hellllzzz yeah. Backman is going to surprise a lot of people as well. Easy to forget about when not in Grand Rapids. Recently ranked as our 8th best prospect. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirtydangles 1,328 Report post Posted November 24, 2013 I gotta say I had a massive man crush for B.Smith last night. The guy was playing like a stud out there. When he was up and yelling at Neil in the box I had this excitement and emotion inside me that I haven't had in so long since the wings got rid of the enforcer type. The most coveted players in the league are those that are special talents but can also bring sandpaper. Smith can be a huge guy for us if he brings this level of play every night. 4 Hockeymom1960, Detroit \# 1 Fan, derblaueClaus and 1 other reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joesuffP 1,746 Report post Posted November 24, 2013 Smith has been great since his return. Like really good. Just sucks because it seems whenever a player turns things around another players turns for the worst. Smith was our best defensemen last night. Kronwall and Ericsson haven't been good since E's return and Kindl and Quincey are always terrible Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dabura 12,207 Report post Posted November 24, 2013 I was really happy with Smith last night. Played a good game and showed some balls going up against someone who is, let's be honest, one of the very best in the league at what he does. If anything, though, his performance made me that much more eager for him to get a look up front, when DD returns. Broken record, I know, but I really believe he could do a lot of damage on the forecheck with his speed, size, willingness to get his nose dirty, and high-end skillz. We could really use some "pop" up front. Then again, we could also really use it on the back end. Either way, good on Smitty. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites