Wings Release Training Camp Roster

[rick zombo 3,739]

No rick, I believe that Smith would be an asset if used on the power-play. Sheahan is a good net front man, but like I said, I'd rather have a different formation on each unit, mainly to keep the opposition on their toes. In which case, I don't believe a guy directly in front of the net is absolutely necessary in that type of set-up. Also, if it were up to me, I'd have Sheahan on the penalty kill, and I'd try to split up special teams duties as much as possible. Power-play forwards - Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Abdelkader, Pulkkinen (or Franzen), Richards, Nyquist and Tatar. Penalty kill forwards - Glendening, Ferraro (or Miller), Helm and Sheahan.

Also, Smith isn't "my boy". I don't like him any more than any other player on the team and significantly less than some. My favorite players on the team are all forwards. I can see why it may seem like Smith is "my boy", because I tend to get involved in all the conversations defending him, but that isn't because I think he's this unbelievable elite player, it's because he gets unnecessary backlash from fans (in my opinion). If people were constantly b****ing about DeKeyser, I'd be doing the same. Hell, I've done the same for Quincey in the past, as well as Pulkkinen, and neither of them are close to being my favorite Red Wings...

Hey. I understand. I do. I was only teasing you about him being "your boy". That being said, you'd almost have to be crazy to prefer a 3-2 with Smith on the back end over a 1-3-1 with Sheahan in front.

[krsmith17 7,191]

... call me crazy... I'd at least like to see both experimented with.

Smith has seen very little power-play time over the past couple seasons. But the little he has seen, when we've been depleted with injuries or at the end of a game up by a couple, he's looked very good in my opinion.

Sheahan has as well, but like I said, I'd prefer him on the penalty kill. However that all depends on how the lines shake out and if they are anything the way they appear by training camp, I won't be very happy... We do not need Miller, Ferraro and Andersson in the lineup, one would be sufficient. I'd go with Ferraro OR Miller, and send Andersson down to the minors, hoping he'd get claimed...

Edited September 17, 2015 by krsmith17

[rick zombo 3,739]

I just noticed this, but what.the.f*** is Mantha doing on a line with Miele and Cleary????

[Echolalia 2,961]

I don't think Smith would be solid on the PP because from a defensman's point of view, one of the biggests skills you need to have is to be able to reliably get your shot through from the point. Smith's offensive ability isn't due to his bombs from the blue line, but rather from jumping in on the play during a breakdown in coverage (which doesn't happen when teams are penalty killing and thinking positional hockey above all else). I don't have anything against the guy, but I don't think he'd be a big difference maker on the man advantage.

I just noticed this, but what.the.f*** is Mantha doing on a line with Miele and Cleary????

Getting mentored

[number9 3,297]

I don't think Smith would be solid on the PP because from a defensman's point of view, one of the biggests skills you need to have is to be able to reliably get your shot through from the point. Smith's offensive ability isn't due to his bombs from the blue line, but rather from jumping in on the play during a breakdown in coverage (which doesn't happen when teams are penalty killing and thinking positional hockey above all else). I don't have anything against the guy, but I don't think he'd be a big difference maker on the man advantage.

Getting mentored

Stop with this unnecessary Smith backlash

[rick zombo 3,739]

Getting mentored

Cleary can mentor Mantha on the bus, in a restaurant, in the dressing room, and on the bench. Just to name a few places. Otherwise, Mantha needs to skate with some guys who can play hockey.

[MrazekFanBoy 223]

Taking Sheahan off the PP and putting him on the penalty kill, don't see him developing into a second line center if that happens, we don't need anymore defensive forwards we already have Abby Helm Andy Ferraro Luke at least four of those guys will be in the lineup this year and We'll have Larkin next year, I like how they are putting him on the wing, forget focusing on defense kid shoot the puck and throw that body around, Smith is what 25 26? Why keep givin him chances he's a bottom pairing guy, maybe a 4 when he turns his brain on, Sheahan has great hands an unreal shot and a big body he definitely should be on the PP and playing more minutes than Richards even imo.

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

Andreas.

Athanasiou.

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You

[Jesusberg 1,256]

Taking Sheahan off the PP and putting him on the penalty kill, don't see him developing into a second line center if that happens, we don't need anymore defensive forwards we already have Abby Helm Andy Ferraro Luke at least four of those guys will be in the lineup this year and We'll have Larkin next year, I like how they are putting him on the wing, forget focusing on defense kid shoot the puck and throw that body around, Smith is what 25 26? Why keep givin him chances he's a bottom pairing guy, maybe a 4 when he turns his brain on, Sheahan has great hands an unreal shot and a big body he definitely should be on the PP and playing more minutes than Richards even imo.

I agree 100% with the idea that Sheahan shouldn't be kept off the power play in favor of Smith, but is Abdelkader any more of a defensive forward than Sheahan right now? Not that he's not capable, but he's not exactly racking up time on the PK these days, and Sheahan's known for his two-way play.

Glendening-Miller is the top PK tandem for sure, after that it's a little murky. I'm inclined to say that Helm-Ferraro would be solid, but what happens when/if Ferraro is scratched for Jurco/Pulkkinen? Could go Helm-Abdelkader or Helm-Sheahan - either one would do well, I think.

[MrazekFanBoy 223]

Helm Abby I'd imagine We saw that alot last year, our fourth line center (Nosek,Andy whoever) can be the other PKer Abby is so good on the PK tho I'm sure we will see them all on the Pk But i don't think Sheahan or Abdelkader should kill them regularly

[Jesusberg 1,256]

Helm Abby I'd imagine We saw that alot last year, our fourth line center (Nosek,Andy whoever) can be the other PKer Abby is so good on the PK tho I'm sure we will see them all on the Pk But i don't think Sheahan or Abdelkader should kill them regularly

I agree, but once Datsyuk returns, Glendening is likely to go back to that 4C spot. The fourth line will be Miller-Glendening-Ferraro, I assume.

When that happens, if Jurco or Pulkkinen are in the lineup, I assume it's not anyone from the top-nine coming out. That means they're likely using Abdelkader or Sheahan with Helm. I assumed that Helm-Abdelkader were used more last season too, but I checked and they were together 1.8% of the time on the PK, while Helm-Sheahan were used 1.16%. After Glendening-Miller (38.22%), Helm-Andersson was the pairing used most frequently (9.67%), which I hope doesn't happen this season.

Edited September 17, 2015 by Jesusberg

[BottleOfSmoke 5,965]

Late to the Smith discussion, but god damn. My issue with Smitty has nothing to do with his physical ability and everything to do with his uncanny ability to brain shart at the most conveniently inconvenient times. This kid's mind is his worst asset. If he could get out of his own way mentally I think we would see a more complete player, and I wouldn't be so nervous to have him anywhere near the PP.

[PavelValerievichDatsyuk 1,935]

Though Abby-Helm would be great for the 2nd PK, Abby probably won't be PKing. He'll be on the PP and the first line with Dats. That would make a lot of minutes. He might be able to handle it, but I don't think it's worth it.

Glen-Miller

Helm-Ferraro/Andy/Jurco (yes, krsmith is mad at me) or whoever is the final 4th line spot)

or Sheahan if he's not on the PP

[Echolalia 2,961]

Stop with this unnecessary Smith backlash

This conversation is over.

Late to the Smith discussion, but god damn. My issue with Smitty has nothing to do with his physical ability and everything to do with his uncanny ability to brain shart at the most conveniently inconvenient times. This kid's mind is his worst asset. If he could get out of his own way mentally I think we would see a more complete player, and I wouldn't be so nervous to have him anywhere near the PP.

See above

[kickazz 5,459]

Someone said it best a while back..

Smith is the "dumbest Red Wing since Aaron Ward"

Forgot who said it but I still laugh out loud when I think of the quote.

Late to the Smith discussion, but god damn. My issue with Smitty has nothing to do with his physical ability and everything to do with his uncanny ability to brain shart at the most conveniently inconvenient times. This kid's mind is his worst asset. If he could get out of his own way mentally I think we would see a more complete player, and I wouldn't be so nervous to have him anywhere near the PP.

Thankfully he's only been in the NHL for 4 years and is 26 years old. Give him time, I say probably 7 or so more years.

Edited September 17, 2015 by kickazz

[joesuffP 1,746]

I was watching highlights of when we beat the ducks in 2013 and my god Smith was terrible. We really had no business winning that series

Jimmy was sensational that playoff run

[wings_fanatic 677]

I was watching highlights of when we beat the ducks in 2013 and my god Smith was terrible. We really had no business winning that series

Jimmy was sensational that playoff run

That was the only good playoffs run Jimmy has had.

[kickazz 5,459]

Love him or not guys, this is hilarious, please watch and enjoy the beat and reactions. Pretend like it's not Smith if that's what you need to do to watch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k41BYLXeyE

[kickazz 5,459]

I was watching highlights of when we beat the ducks in 2013 and my god Smith was terrible. We really had no business winning that series

Jimmy was sensational that playoff run

We didn't but you know which series we did have business winning that year? The Chicago one. Which Smith was a prime factor in losing for us. Watch the series highlights if you have a chance, I watched it over the summer and couldn't stop shaking my head.

But Smith was also a newcomer then so I wasn't really too upset about it.

Edited September 18, 2015 by kickazz

[LeftWinger 4,949]

Going into training camp, Detroit is the only team over the cap and the highest payroll in the NHL.... Even burying Cleary and dumping Andersson only gives a little relief...guess it's those top quality defenders making all that money! E, Q, K, Smith are ALL overpaid for what they bring. Not to mention Howard and Franzen wasted money. Highest paid team in the league and mostly bottom 6 players and 4 or 5 C to D level defensemen, along with a VERY average goalie making $5M+... Holland likes his players, how come it seems all other teams can dump players for picks or futures and then still remain VERY competitive and Holland just cannot seem to or want to dump useless players, even if it means just waiving them...

I know Pav's $7M will be off the books to start the season, but it still doesn't help having such a high payroll for a limited skilled team. I guess I could be over analyzing it, but it just seems odd how other teams have 3-4 players making $8M-$10M+ and they are a lower cap team, yet still MUCH better than the Wings. I think Holland overpays below average players.

Edited September 18, 2015 by LeftWinger

[krsmith17 7,191]

... so basically it's a highlight of every goal against that Smith was on the ice for?... Great job...

You could do the same for just about any defender in the league, and make them look like "complete garbage"... There were some clips in that video that had very little to do with Smith. No doubt there are some clips of some extremely boneheaded plays, and no one would deny that Smith has made his fair share in the past, but they are becoming less and less frequent. People seem to forget that he's only played two full seasons with the Wings... He has improved immensely since his first season, and he will continue to do so under Blashill.

[number9 3,297]

... so basically it's a highlight of every goal against that Smith was on the ice for?... Great job...

You could do the same for just about any defender in the league, and make them look like "complete garbage"... There were some clips in that video that had very little to do with Smith. No doubt there are some clips of some extremely boneheaded plays, and no one would deny that Smith has made his fair share in the past, but they are becoming less and less frequent. People seem to forget that he's only played two full seasons with the Wings... He has improved immensely since his first season, and he will continue to do so under Blashill.

See you say things like that, but I see no evidence of it

[krsmith17 7,191]

You haven't seen improvement in Smith's play? Really? Okay, now I know you're either going on blind hate or trolling... You're no better than those that still hate on Quincey because he was awful a year and a half ago...

Funny how you bolded those two parts but failed to acknowledge the part in between... The fact that he is only going in to his 3rd season... Remind me again, how long it took Ericsson to become a legitimate top 4 defenseman? Or is Big E still garbage too because he was a turnover machine 5 years ago, and still tends to have a gaffe here and there?... like every. single. defenseman in the league...

[nawein 324]

You haven't seen improvement in Smith's play? Really? Okay, now I know you're either going on blind hate or trolling... You're no better than those that still hate on Quincey because he was awful a year and a half ago...

Funny how you bolded those two parts but failed to acknowledge the part in between... The fact that he is only going in to his 3rd season... Remind me again, how long it took Ericsson to become a legitimate top 4 defenseman? Or is Big E still garbage too because he was a turnover machine 5 years ago, and still tends to have a gaffe here and there?... like every. single. defenseman in the league...

Yeah, they're both garbage. Ericsson is garbage that we don't have a better replacement for, though. Ericsson lost us the Tampa series in game 3 or 4, whatever game Johnson scored a couple quick goals. Both goals were his fault. And he's still a bonehead. Just like Smith is still a bonehead. Maybe Smith will pull his head out of his arse but until then there's better options for the top 6 and PP. Edited September 18, 2015 by nawein

[number9 3,297]

You haven't seen improvement in Smith's play? Really? Okay, now I know you're either going on blind hate or trolling... You're no better than those that still hate on Quincey because he was awful a year and a half ago...

Funny how you bolded those two parts but failed to acknowledge the part in between... The fact that he is only going in to his 3rd season... Remind me again, how long it took Ericsson to become a legitimate top 4 defenseman? Or is Big E still garbage too because he was a turnover machine 5 years ago, and still tends to have a gaffe here and there?... like every. single. defenseman in the league...

It must be nice being able to accuse everyone who disagrees with you of trolling. Reel it in bud, no one here has blind hatred for Smith.

I would argue Smith has gotten worse since his debut. The only time he's looked good was with Lidstrom and those first dozen games. Both full seasons have been pretty much identical. But apparently you see tons of improvement? Sure. I think you're alone on that one.

And no E is still not a great defender, and he's probably better suited as a #4

Edited September 18, 2015 by number9