Smith-Kronwall

[Echolalia 2,961]

Smith and Pulkkinen get scrappy in practice? Lol.

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2015/11/tempers_flare_between_teemu_pu.html

I'd call Smith a ****** for going after one of the smallest guys in the league, but he did go after the biggest too, so maybe he's indiscriminate. Either way, looks like Riley's brother is all in on trying to earn a solid spot in the lineup.

That or he's dumb. Really, really, really, dumb.

The article makes it sound like Pulkkinen is a *****. Coach wanted a battle drill, Pulks couldn't take it and lost his temper and went off on Smith.

[Internet.Unknown 422]

Smith and Pulkkinen get scrappy in practice? Lol.

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2015/11/tempers_flare_between_teemu_pu.html

I'd call Smith a ****** for going after one of the smallest guys in the league, but he did go after the biggest too, so maybe he's indiscriminate. Either way, looks like Riley's brother is all in on trying to earn a solid spot in the lineup.

That or he's dumb. Really, really, really, dumb.

Can't he be both trying to earn a solid spot AND be really, really, really dumb?

[kipwinger 8,524]

Someone already said that. And yes, yes he can lol.

Or maybe Pulkkinen was just being a pantywaist like Echophilia said above.

[e_prime 1,936]

All in by scrapping with Pulk? How does that make sense tho?

...because he was told by Blash to engage with/block out the attacking forwards in front of the net which he has not been doing. At least not well. The dummy's just following instructions.

Pulks just took exception to the enthusiasm in which Smitty was engaging. I'm sure once Pulks pats him on the head and tells Smith what a good guy he is all will be back on track.

[kickazz 5,459]

...because he was told by Blash to engage with/block out the attacking forwards in front of the net which he has not been doing. At least not well. The dummy's just following instructions.

Pulks just took exception to the enthusiasm in which Smitty was engaging. I'm sure once Pulks pats him on the head and tells Smith what a good guy he is all will be back on track.

Now if he could only do it against guys he doesn't know well... say on the opposing team -__---

[e_prime 1,936]

Now if he could only do it against guys he doesn't know well... say on the opposing team -__---

Smith ain't Allen Iverson. He needs practice.

[Bill Berzeench 310]

Funny how many experts we have on here that didnt see any of the said incident. Oh wait, thats everyone. Let me chime in here on the "Im gonna comment on an issue i know nothing about" tip: Pulkinnen shouldn't be spearing Smith in the kidney and slashing him on his ankles if he doesnt want Smith to retaliate. Smith has already had stitches in both wrists and a lacerated kidney from previous Pulkkinen dirty cheap shots. He was like Jesus and "turned the other cheek" the first 6 times. But he finally had to retaliate. Wish these unfortunate circumstances didnt occur.

[e_prime 1,936]

Funny how many experts we have on here that didnt see any of the said incident. Oh wait, thats everyone. Let me chime in here on the "Im gonna comment on an issue i know nothing about" tip: Pulkinnen shouldn't be spearing Smith in the kidney and slashing him on his ankles if he doesnt want Smith to retaliate. Smith has already had stitches in both wrists and a lacerated kidney from previous Pulkkinen dirty cheap shots. He was like Jesus and "turned the other cheek" the first 6 times. But he finally had to retaliate. Wish these unfortunate circumstances didnt occur.

Totally plausable.

Edited November 13, 2015 by e_prime

[Internet.Unknown 422]

Someone already said that. And yes, yes he can lol.

Or maybe Pulkkinen was just being a pantywaist like Echophilia said above.

I read a post, have a response, and type. I don't read on to see if someone else thought the same thing before posting.

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

Funny how many experts we have on here that didnt see any of the said incident. Oh wait, thats everyone. Let me chime in here on the "Im gonna comment on an issue i know nothing about" tip: Pulkinnen shouldn't be spearing Smith in the kidney and slashing him on his ankles if he doesnt want Smith to retaliate. Smith has already had stitches in both wrists and a lacerated kidney from previous Pulkkinen dirty cheap shots. He was like Jesus and "turned the other cheek" the first 6 times. But he finally had to retaliate. Wish these unfortunate circumstances didnt occur.

aren't you doing the exact same Thing, while calling out others for it?

[lomekian 201]

Smith is what he is...not nearly as bad as half the fan-base make out, but not nearly reliable enough to earn complete trust. One thing is for sure...he needs to be alongside someone who is more defensively solid and calm under pressure. Hence the reason he looks better next to kronner or DD....next to kindl you have jakub's primary weaknesses (a slight lack of intestinal fortitude and a related capacity to panick under intense pressure) intensified by a complimentary s***- storm of Smith's erratic decision making and Iack of awareness.

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

Smith ain't Allen Iverson. He needs practice.

Practice?

We talkin' bout practice?!?

[Bill Berzeench 310]

Smith is what he is...not nearly as bad as half the fan-base make out, but not nearly reliable enough to earn complete trust. One thing is for sure...he needs to be alongside someone who is more defensively solid and calm under pressure. Hence the reason he looks better next to kronner or DD....next to kindl you have jakub's primary weaknesses (a slight lack of intestinal fortitude and a related capacity to panick under intense pressure) intensified by a complimentary s***- storm of Smith's erratic decision making and Iack of awareness.

This is such a great post. You have completely nailed the Smith-Kindl pairing synopsis. It cant be phrased any better or more accurately.

[Jacksoni 418]

This is such a great post. You have completely nailed the Smith-Kindl pairing synopsis. It cant be phrased any better or more accurately.

Yep I agree.

[e_prime 1,936]

Practice?

We talkin' bout practice?!?

Correct. We are talking about practice, Riley's brother, a Euro with an elevated temper, some shoving, probably some crosschecking, possibly some fisticuffs, but in likelihood a nasty lil' slapfight.

Gee. To be a fly on the wall. Would clear all this up for errrybody.

[Jacksoni 418]

Ansar Khan ‏@AnsarKhanMLive 1h1 hour ago

Blashill said same six on D as last game because he liked what he saw. So Smith is out.

The Lord has answered the camp against Smith. He can't screw up from the stands bench, can he? Like throw in a puck or something?

Edited November 13, 2015 by Jacksoni

[kickazz 5,459]

Ansar Khan ‏@AnsarKhanMLive 1h1 hour ago

The Lord has answered the camp against Smith. He can't screw up from the stands, can he? Like throw a puck in or something?

I bet you he could.

[Bill Berzeench 310]

I bet you he could.

He will probably trip Terrible Ted and break his hip.

[Bill Berzeench 310]

Please bring back Smith-Kronwall, Blashill.

[WingsallTheway 383]

Please bring back Smith-Kronwall, Blashill.

I doubt the answer to any struggling NHL team is to insert Smith into the lineup

[Aethernum 276]

According to ESPN.com Smith was out for illness. Are we under the impression that he was scratched for performance?

[kickazz 5,459]

According to ESPN.com Smith was out for illness. Are we under the impression that he was scratched for performance?

He missed last Sunday due to illness. Returned for practice (had that little scrum with Pulk). Then was a healthy scratch for two games in a row.

http://www.cbssports...nsecutive-game/

But we don't really know the details I guess.

Edited November 15, 2015 by kickazz

[Aethernum 276]

He missed last Sunday due to illness. Returned for practice (had that little scrum with Pulk). Then was a healthy scratch for two games in a row.

http://www.cbssports...nsecutive-game/

But we don't really know the details I guess.

Huh, that's interesting. Thanks!

[lomekian 201]

This is such a great post. You have completely nailed the Smith-Kindl pairing synopsis. It cant be phrased any better or more accurately.

Thanks! The frustrating thing is, if you could take the best qualities of each you could have an nhl first or second pairing d-man....of course the worst of each would be lucky to get into the echl ...of course the reason both have been persevered with is that their primary frailties are mental and, in theory conquerable, particularly in the case of Smith, who has just demonstrated a remarkable incapacity to learn from his mistakes and an inability to concentrate for more than two games in a row. Kindl is easier to jettison despite being marginally more consistent, because he just doesn't have the cojones to be consistently effective in this league. He plays like he's scared of being hurt, despite having been hurt less than almost any other player in our line-up. Despite being in N/A since 16, he is the archetypal soft-skilled euro that can't really survive in this league that don Cherry is thankful for. Smith is just an eejit who can be effective if playing with someone with serious brains. Smith is like the occasional guys we had who looked great alongside Lidstrom only to be badly exposed elsewhere.

Key thing is neither has any consistency. I think kindl is a slightly safer option, but smith brings more energy and combativeness that this line-up needs more of.

But ultimately both are less of a problem than our lack of quality higher up. Kroner was a 1b, but it's reverted to his normal level of being a #3. DDK is a very good #3/4. Ericsson is good at #4/5. Green we are still finding out about but essentially he is a 2nd pairing guy. Quincey is a #4/5/6 depending on who he's with. Smith and Kindl are both #6/7/8 d-men if we are honest, though smith can do the odd game higher up. Marchenko looks a decent bet for a career #5/6..

As with our forward line up, we halve lots of middle ranking players but the only ones who can claim to be top line locks are on the downward curve.

The only real positive is that the proper transition has started and some of the kids look ready to contribute.

[b.shanafan14 733]

He missed last Sunday due to illness. Returned for practice (had that little scrum with Pulk). Then was a healthy scratch for two games in a row.

http://www.cbssports...nsecutive-game/

But we don't really know the details I guess.

Haha this reminds me of when we were struggling to make the playoffs in the last few games of the season and he reached out from the bench and knocked down a live puck late in a game to give us a bench penalty. When he was scratched the next game or two and he was interviewed, he shared some delusion about "coach resting veterans before the playoffs", nothing to do with his brain fart almost costing the team the season. Haha this kid is a riot!