Wings Release Training Camp Roster

[krsmith17 7,191]

Yup, Ericsson is garbage... How is he even in the NHL...

Is he a top pairing defenseman? No, probably not. Is he a top 4 defenseman? Absolutely. Again, like every defenseman, Ericsson has his gaffes, but they get pointed out much more because of the rep he got 5 years ago... It's f***ing ridiculous...

I still find it hilarious that to Red Wings fans, DeKeyser can do no wrong. He f**** up and no one gives a s***, or they yell at the TV because Quincey or Smith was on the ice... even if they played their man perfectly... it's still their fault... because they suck... amirite?...

[number9 3,297]

Yup, Ericsson is garbage... How is he even in the NHL...

Is he a top pairing defenseman? No, probably not. Is he a top 4 defenseman? Absolutely. Again, like every defenseman, Ericsson has his gaffes, but they get pointed out much more because of the rep he got 5 years ago... It's f***ing ridiculous...

I still find it hilarious that to Red Wings fans, DeKeyser can do no wrong. He f**** up and no one gives a s***, or they yell at the TV because Quincey or Smith was on the ice... even if they played their man perfectly... it's still their fault... because they suck... amirite?...

I agree with you about Dekeyser. However he really is much better than Smith.

And stop trying to make this about Ericsson, I have no complaints about him.

Edited September 18, 2015 by number9

[krsmith17 7,191]

number9, you bait and you troll. Everyone here knows it. Why would you even deny that? Can I say definitively that you are trying to troll when you talk about Smith? No, probably not, but it sure as hell seems like it at times...

Yup, Smith looked great in his first few games as a call-up didn't he? Guess who else did? Pretty much every player that comes up from the minors... Remember Ericsson's first few games? Kid was unreal. Remember Ouellet's and Marchenko's first few games? Guys looked great, and fans were already anointing them better than Smith, Kindl, Quincey, Ericsson, etc. Wait until they get a full season under their belt and they get exposed for the players they are, steady 4-5 defensemen... Like every single player, I mentioned previously that they are so-called way better than...

I never said anything about Smith being better than DeKeyser because he's definitely not close. I think DeKeyser is amazing, and will probably be our best defender by the end of this season. The point is, even when he does f*** up, he gets zero blame, but if he went on the ice wearing number 2 or 27 or 52 and made that same mistake, people would b**** and complain like they always do... I'm not "making this about Ericsson", I brought him up to prove a point...

[number9 3,297]

number9, you bait and you troll. Everyone here knows it. Why would you even deny that? Can I say definitively that you are trying to troll when you talk about Smith? No, probably not, but it sure as hell seems like it at times...

Yup, Smith looked great in his first few games as a call-up didn't he? Guess who else did? Pretty much every player that comes up from the minors... Remember Ericsson's first few games? Kid was unreal. Remember Ouellet's and Marchenko's first few games? Guys looked great, and fans were already anointing them better than Smith, Kindl, Quincey, Ericsson, etc. Wait until they get a full season under their belt and they get exposed for the players they are, steady 4-5 defensemen... Like every single player, I mentioned previously that they are so-called way better than...

I never said anything about Smith being better than DeKeyser because he's definitely not close. I think DeKeyser is amazing, and will probably be our best defender by the end of this season. The point is, even when he does f*** up, he gets zero blame, but if he went on the ice wearing number 2 or 27 or 52 and made that same mistake, people would b**** and complain like they always do... I'm not "making this about Ericsson", I brought him up to prove a point...

Yup I'm not so nice to certain posters for obvious reasons. But I respect your opinion and I'm almost always straight forward with you. You're hiding behind labeling me as a troll.

So your argument is that our D-men look good at first and then get exposed as crappy when they play full seasons? Kinda like Smith? Every player will have hiccups early in their careers, but I expect improvements each year, Smith hasn't shown that.

Again, I don't disagree with you about DK. He's LGWs golden boy.

Edited September 18, 2015 by number9

[krsmith17 7,191]

Yup, and just as DeKeyser is LGW's golden boy, Smith is LGW's whipping boy... I guess every fan and fan base needs one... Mine is Andersson. I've heard and seen people say that he has value to the team, and I don't get it at all. I've never seen it, even when he was our third line center a couple years ago in the playoffs against Anaheim. I think he's a borderline NHL player at best...

Smith, I believe has shown steady improvement, and if you haven't seen that, I don't know what to say... I'd be shocked if Smith doesn't show vast improvement this season under Blashill, now that he has finally rid himself of Babcock. But at the same time, I will be even more shocked if when he improves, LGW doesn't still look for and b**** about every single mistake he makes, all while turning a blind eye to the mistakes of their "golden boy"...

[Jesusberg 1,256]

Already...? Seems serious.

Ted Kulfan ‏@tkulfan 30s31 seconds ago

Violent collision between Helm and one of the junior players , Verrier, during drill. Helm is fine...the kid is not unfortunately.

Edit: Ted Kulfan ‏@tkulfan 27s

28 seconds ago

Stretcher on the ice for Verrier and players are off the ice

Edited September 18, 2015 by Jesusberg

[HockeytownRules19 902]

George Malik ‏@georgemalik 2m2 minutes ago

Helm and another player collided and went down in heaps. Paramedics looking at both.

George Malik ‏@georgemalik 2m2 minutes ago

Helm is okay...

Ted Kulfan ‏@tkulfan 2m2 minutes ago

Violent collision between Helm and one of the junior players , Verrier, during drill. Helm is fine...the kid is not unfortunately.

Ted Kulfan ‏@tkulfan 24s25 seconds ago

Stretcher on the ice for Verrier and players are off the ice

Jeez I'm praying for Verrier

[joesuffP 1,746]

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.

Yes. I just can't believe we won that series. A lot of guys were terrible... Flippula... Remember his no look behind the net pass in the 3rd period of game 6 that nearly cost us the series

[Jesusberg 1,256]

Now Michelle from WiiM is saying it was Nedomlel, not Verrier.

Michelle ‏@Slapshotg0al 10s11 seconds ago

Helm & Nedomlel just collided hard in practice. Both were down for a while, Helm standing now, Nedo being stretchered off.

[krsmith17 7,191]

Tough break for Verrier, I hope he's okay. Poor kid hasn't been able to catch a break...

Great news that Helm is okay though. It finally appears that he is out of the woods with all those injuries the past few seasons... *knocks on wood*

[HockeytownRules19 902]

Helene St. James ‏@HeleneStJames 20s21 seconds ago

Jerome Verrier moving hands as carted off on stretcher after violent collision with Darren Helm at first practice of training camp.

Ted Kulfan ‏@tkulfan 12s13 seconds ago

Thankfully Verrier is moving arms and legs so this is strictly precautionary.

[kipwinger 8,524]

Verrier makes more sense than Nedomlel. Richard is HUGE. Verrier, unfortunately, is not.

There goes his chance of getting a contract. Bummer kid. Better luck next year.

[krsmith17 7,191]

I'd say "Verrier, fortunately, is not" is more accurate, for Helm anyway... If he had run into Nedomlel, chances are, Helm would be the one stretchered off the ice...

[kipwinger 8,524]

I should have said "unfortunately for him". Since this basically ends his chances of getting a contract this season.

I'm not worried about Helm. He's a boss.

[number9 3,297]

Yup, and just as DeKeyser is LGW's golden boy, Smith is LGW's whipping boy... I guess every fan and fan base needs one... Mine is Andersson. I've heard and seen people say that he has value to the team, and I don't get it at all. I've never seen it, even when he was our third line center a couple years ago in the playoffs against Anaheim. I think he's a borderline NHL player at best...

Smith, I believe has shown steady improvement, and if you haven't seen that, I don't know what to say... I'd be shocked if Smith doesn't show vast improvement this season under Blashill, now that he has finally rid himself of Babcock. But at the same time, I will be even more shocked if when he improves, LGW doesn't still look for and b**** about every single mistake he makes, all while turning a blind eye to the mistakes of their "golden boy"...

What exactly are the improvements you see in his game? His first two seasons were basically spitting images of one another. Bone headed mistakes coupled with a lack of offensive production.

[krsmith17 7,191]

Anyway 9, we'll have to agree to disagree on Smith... once again... I think he has improved his defensive game drastically over the course of the last season and a half. I'm aware that he isn't the most sound defensive player, which is why I'm excited that Blashill is coming in. I'm hoping he will give Smith the green light to do his thing and jump up and make plays in the defensive zone (aka play to his strengths), something Babcock never would have done. I'm hoping now that Quincey has ironed out his game since the last time they were paired together, they will complement each other a little better and develop some chemistry (assuming they stick together on the third pairing...).

[number9 3,297]

Anyway 9, we'll have to agree to disagree on Smith... once again... I think he has improved his defensive game drastically over the course of the last season and a half. I'm aware that he isn't the most sound defensive player, which is why I'm excited that Blashill is coming in. I'm hoping he will give Smith the green light to do his thing and jump up and make plays in the defensive zone (aka play to his strengths), something Babcock never would have done. I'm hoping now that Quincey has ironed out his game since the last time they were paired together, they will complement each other a little better and develop some chemistry (assuming they stick together on the third pairing...).

So the conclusion is you passionately defend Smiths poor play because he's improved in the defensive zone? Hate to break it to you but Smith is pretty below average defensively. If he really has improved his defense it's only slightly and not enough to make him at all valuable in the D zone.

You cite his D skills as his improved area, yet yesterday you were arguing he be given PP time. Fascinating.

[krsmith17 7,191]

What are you talking about???... His defensive game has improved drastically, not in the sense that he will ever be a shut down defenseman, but he doesn't make nearly as many boneheaded plays as he once did when he first entered the league. It may seem like he does to some, especially if you read GDT's because it's the LGW thing to do, to point out every miniscule mistake the kid makes... I'm in no way advocating that he is a stellar defenseman in his own zone, which is exactly why I said that he should be given the green light to do what he does best, jump up in the rush and create offense, as well as be given a shot on the power-play. You can point at his point totals from the past two seasons and say "what offense?", but that's exactly my point, Babcock did everything he could to stymie Smith's offensive game. I'm hoping Blashill will do the opposite. Time will tell... Anyway, like I said, agree to disagree. I'm done with this...

[Jesusberg 1,256]

The thing is, I can see some of the defensive improvements that Smith has made. I think he's better positionally than he was a few years back. He makes better decisions in terms of stick-checking and when to take someone out of the play.

That said, he still can't seem to get the puck out of his own zone. It just seems like when he has the puck, his brain turns off. For the life of me, I don't understand it. You'll see him throw a bomb up the middle every once in awhile, but I swear he gets picked off more consistently than anyone else on the team. Like others have said, I think it's a mental issue more than anything. He's so jittery with the puck that I just don't trust him on the power play. I don't hate Brendan Smith, I just don't have faith in his abilities.

Edited September 18, 2015 by Jesusberg

[number9 3,297]

The thing is, I can see some of the defensive improvements that Smith has made. I think he's better positionally than he was a few years back. He makes better decisions in terms of stick-checking and when to take someone out of the play.

That said, he still can't seem to get the puck out of his own zone. It just seems like when he has the puck, his brain turns off. For the life of me, I don't understand it. You'll see him throw a bomb up the middle every once in awhile, but I swear he gets picked off more consistently than anyone else on the team. Like others have said, I think it's a mental issue more than anything. He's so jittery with the puck that I just don't trust him on the power play. I don't hate Brendan Smith, I just don't have faith in his abilities.

And yet Krsmith thinks he deserves PP time lol

[krsmith17 7,191]

Apparently I'm not the only one...

Ansar Khan - "A first-round draft pick in 2007, Smith was an offensive defenseman both at Wisconsin and during all or parts of three seasons in Grand Rapids, where he had a total of 27 goals. But in two full seasons with the Red Wings, he's scored just nine goals, partly because he hasn't been given much time on the power play. Will that change under new coach Jeff Blashill and will Smith play a bigger role in the offense?"

Jeff Blashill - "I think Brendan has that ability to do that (power play)," Blashill said. "You have to see where the whole puzzle fits at camp. He's somebody I know that's done that in the past because he's done that for me in the American League (for half the 2012-13 season)."

"lol"...

[joesuffP 1,746]

I think smith is very capable of turning it around in a big way this season. I'll stay optimistic but he hasn't proven he deserves to be on the PP at this point

[rick zombo 3,739]

Apparently I'm not the only one...

Ansar Khan - "A first-round draft pick in 2007, Smith was an offensive defenseman both at Wisconsin and during all or parts of three seasons in Grand Rapids, where he had a total of 27 goals. But in two full seasons with the Red Wings, he's scored just nine goals, partly because he hasn't been given much time on the power play. Will that change under new coach Jeff Blashill and will Smith play a bigger role in the offense?"

Jeff Blashill - "I think Brendan has that ability to do that (power play)," Blashill said. "You have to see where the whole puzzle fits at camp. He's somebody I know that's done that in the past because he's done that for me in the American League (for half the 2012-13 season)."

"lol"...

I know that this has mostly been reduced to krsmith vs number9. But I'm going to chime in anyway.

Khan's just asking a question. Speculating.

What's Blashill supposed to say? Also, notice that he never says he plans on using Smith on the PP. Just that he "thinks Brendan has that ability".

So nothing you just quoted convinces me that Smith will (or should) be on the PP.

I think maybe you're trying to hard too come out on the right side of this discussion.

Edited September 18, 2015 by rick zombo

[MrazekFanBoy 223]

number9, you bait and you troll. Everyone here knows it. Why would you even deny that? Can I say definitively that you are trying to troll when you talk about Smith? No, probably not, but it sure as hell seems like it at times...

Yup, Smith looked great in his first few games as a call-up didn't he? Guess who else did? Pretty much every player that comes up from the minors... Remember Ericsson's first few games? Kid was unreal. Remember Ouellet's and Marchenko's first few games? Guys looked great, and fans were already anointing them better than Smith, Kindl, Quincey, Ericsson, etc. Wait until they get a full season under their belt and they get exposed for the players they are, steady 4-5 defensemen... Like every single player, I mentioned previously that they are so-called way better than...

I never said anything about Smith being better than DeKeyser because he's definitely not close. I think DeKeyser is amazing, and will probably be our best defender by the end of this season. The point is, even when he does f*** up, he gets zero blame, but if he went on the ice wearing number 2 or 27 or 52 and made that same mistake, people would b**** and complain like they always do... I'm not "making this about Ericsson", I brought him up to prove a point...

Maybe it's because Dekeyser doesn't s*** the bed on a regular basis E was hurt last year supposedly so okay we can excuse his performances but Smith wasnt anything special he played alright after babs put him in for Marchenko still E is the one who should've been scratched I know Marchenko and Oullet are both better than Smith but for some reason KH won't give up on him yet, He couldn't move Kindl last year then goes and gives Bonehead smith a deal that no one will probably want this year.

[krsmith17 7,191]

zombo, I said yesterday that I think he should be on the power-play, but also that I don't think he will be.

Competing for a spot on the power-play isn't the same as competing for a spot on the top pair or even in the top 4. I don't think Smith is a top pair defenseman, but I absolutely do believe he is very capable on the power-play, if given the opportunity. Does he deserve a shot over Kronwall or Green? No. Does he deserve a shot over DeKeyser? For sure in my opinion. I'm not overstating Smith's abilities, I'm saying that he has great offensive instincts, so why not let him show what he can do. I'm also not saying he should be handed the power-play minutes, I'm saying he should be given the opportunity in pre-season (which he will)...

I'm not trying too hard to do anything, I'm just stating my opinion, that Smith has improved and he gets waaaay too much flack from LGW. Some will agree, some will disagree, whatever...

MrazekFanBoy, I'd love to know how you KNOW Marchenko and Ouellet are better than Smith with such a small sample size...