Euro_Twins 4,476 Report post Posted November 28, 2013 I'm starting to get back on the smith bandwagon, he was really bugging me this season but he has really started turning things around since his injury. Just needed to give his head a shake and step back a bit I guess. Go smith! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
uk_redwing 495 Report post Posted November 28, 2013 I was never worried. Always like Smith. All rookies have an iffy period in their transition to the big leagues, especially Dmen (see Kindl, Ericsson). One of the true "gritty" guys on our roster as well. 3 Detroit \# 1 Fan, Hockeymom1960 and St. Michael (the Red Wing) reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
13dangledangle 965 Report post Posted November 28, 2013 I was getting a little worried, mainly because Smith at times seemed to look a little worried and thats never good. He was stellar last night though imo, hope he keeps building on that! 1 St. Michael (the Red Wing) reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted November 28, 2013 He's as confident as he's ever been out there, you can see it in his game. Excellent for him and excellent for us 1 Hockeymom1960 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
St. Michael (the Red Wing) 422 Report post Posted November 28, 2013 Yeah he's been way better defensively. Hopefully that that trend continues especially when DD comes back. REALLY REALLY REALLY wish Smitty could get it going offensively. All in good time hopefully... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nev 1,085 Report post Posted November 30, 2013 I don't know what's clicked in Smith's brain, but I'm glad about it. There was a play in the 1st last night, he was skating back into the zone with puck, being pressured by an Islander, with another coming in to add to the pressure. He was all alone with no-one to pass to. Being Smith my heart was in my mouth. So what does he do? He skates behind his net, holding the forechecker behind him with one arm, controlling the puck with the other, then skates up and out of our zone, leaving the 2 forecheckers behind, and carried the puck all the way up the ice and into the Islander zone. So glad he got 2 assists last night, just reward for his recent play. 1 Cloune reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted November 30, 2013 He made a similar play the game before where he shook off a forechecker. He's not nearly as uneasy as he used to be. He's making smart decisions with the puck, is jumping into the offensive play and really using his skating to create good plays. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joesuffP 1,746 Report post Posted December 1, 2013 (edited) Really elusive and when he's carrying the puck out of the zone he's flying. Good in the O zone too. He's just gotta try and shoot more. He seems to get hit pretty good every game though He really looks like he has potential to be a top pairing offensive d man. Dekeseyer and Smith. Our top 4 could be deadly pretty soon. I think we have the ability to surprise a lot of people these playoffs. If everybody plays to their capability I don't see how we are not a contender Edited December 1, 2013 by joesuffP Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dabura 12,207 Report post Posted December 1, 2013 That stretch pass up the middle to Alfie was gorgeous. That's the kind of thing we need more of from our D and maybe especially from Smith (whose big thing is puck movement, offensive instincts). 1 RedWang reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brett 1,029 Report post Posted December 2, 2013 idk whats up this guys butt but hes really turning it up. keep it up 3 Cloune, RedWang and dirtydangles reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
St. Michael (the Red Wing) 422 Report post Posted December 2, 2013 His bad tonight on that 2nd goal. Puck watching, regardless love him and other than that pretty solid game with another assist... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kipwinger 8,524 Report post Posted December 2, 2013 I was not able to watch last Wednesday or Sunday's games. However, I've been told that Smith played quite well in both. I did see Friday's game and didn't think he looked bad. I've always been quite vocal about how bad Smith was playing, and he was playing quite terribly at one point, but if he's turned the corner on that then he deserves to be recognized for that as well. So "atta boy" Smith. 1 RedWang reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedWang 422 Report post Posted December 2, 2013 They even spoke to him on NHL live last night and complinented him on stepping his game up and playing well. You know its not just us noticing his improvement when that happens. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Crymson Report post Posted December 2, 2013 Excellent game by Smith last night. His speed, strength, and offensive acumen were on clear display. 1 Cloune reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dobbles 252 Report post Posted December 2, 2013 I don't know what's clicked in Smith's brain, but I'm glad about it. There was a play in the 1st last night, he was skating back into the zone with puck, being pressured by an Islander, with another coming in to add to the pressure. He was all alone with no-one to pass to. Being Smith my heart was in my mouth. So what does he do? He skates behind his net, holding the forechecker behind him with one arm, controlling the puck with the other, then skates up and out of our zone, leaving the 2 forecheckers behind, and carried the puck all the way up the ice and into the Islander zone. So glad he got 2 assists last night, just reward for his recent play. i wanted to bring this back up. first off, i had the same sequence on that play as you. i was worried but excited to see his new and improved decision making in practice. however, i wish he would have taken the same approach on that awful turnover last night. i agree with many in the GDT that placed blame on quincey as he definitely did set up smith to fail. however, it was also a great example of that same thinking that had been exhibited the last couple weeks... the attempted pass that got intercepted and led to a juicy 2 on 1 was a decision smith made a lot last year. his growth in the last few weeks has been partly from his willingness to eat the puck, take it behind the net, battle on the boards, etc. essentially the 'live to fight another day' approach. that has been working well for him in his own zone. seeing him revert back to the gunslinger type mentality with that play was tough. however, it was just one play, and overall i think he had a good game. really more than anything, i think it was an example of one of the things he needs to work on. not an indictment of the quality of play he has brought. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingfan1991 221 Report post Posted December 2, 2013 Really been liking Smith the past few games all around great games.. keep it up! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted December 2, 2013 i wanted to bring this back up. first off, i had the same sequence on that play as you. i was worried but excited to see his new and improved decision making in practice. however, i wish he would have taken the same approach on that awful turnover last night. i agree with many in the GDT that placed blame on quincey as he definitely did set up smith to fail. however, it was also a great example of that same thinking that had been exhibited the last couple weeks... the attempted pass that got intercepted and led to a juicy 2 on 1 was a decision smith made a lot last year. his growth in the last few weeks has been partly from his willingness to eat the puck, take it behind the net, battle on the boards, etc. essentially the 'live to fight another day' approach. that has been working well for him in his own zone. seeing him revert back to the gunslinger type mentality with that play was tough. however, it was just one play, and overall i think he had a good game. really more than anything, i think it was an example of one of the things he needs to work on. not an indictment of the quality of play he has brought. What was most impressive, as Ozzie mentioned, was how well Smith was able to put that behind him and continue doing what he needed to do. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dobbles 252 Report post Posted December 2, 2013 What was most impressive, as Ozzie mentioned, was how well Smith was able to put that behind him and continue doing what he needed to do. i was stuck with the canadian feed on the nhl network so i was not aware of such a comment! definitely spot on. the thing about players smiths age is they will definitely make mistakes. but you have to learn from them and also not let them affect your confidence and cause more mistakes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites