gdt 11/16 GDT : Red Wings 4 at Senators 3 (OT)

[number9 3,297]

Why on earth would the same 2 guys and HHollan draft a chicken with its head cut off, develop him in the ahl, and play him on the top pairing in game 7s of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Some team is going to get real lucky taking Smith from us at the deadline when our older guys get injured. Gonna bite us right in the arse.

Just a friendly heads up. There's a profanity filter for a reason. This is at least the 2nd time tonight I've seen you skirt it. Mods will get on you if they catch ya brother.

Maybe cause he could keep up in College and the AHL? If you didn't follow his early career he was a very good offensive D-men in those leagues. But in the NHL 80-90% of his career he's been pretty much useless. He had some good games in the playoffs last year yup, and when he first started and was paired with Lidstrom too. But there's a reason he's never risen above the 6th spot, and why Babs even tried to play him at Wing. Cause he blows. Not sure how that's so hard to see. He plays like he huffs paint before each shift. Has for a while now...

Edited November 18, 2015 by number9

[kipwinger 8,658]

I think the BEST case scenario for Smith is that he develops his game to be a bit more like Johnny Oduya. He's a tough, fast skating, defenseman with oodles of athletic ability too. He doesn't score much, but he's made himself useful in other ways. He's a good penalty killer, a good shutdown guy, and moves the puck safely.

I've said this before, so forgive me if I'm a broken record, but Smith doesn't have the shot to be a point producer in the NHL. With the exception of freak talents like Karlsson, Doughty, or Subban (who do it all), most defensemen contribute offensively by getting their shots through and picking up assists on rebound goals. Smith's shot rarely gets through. It's what separates him from Kindl at this point in their careers.

If he wants a future in the NHL he's got to stop thinking of himself as an offensive d-man and add value in some other way. He's certainly a good enough skater, and a tough enough dude, to play a shutdown role. But he's got to embrace it.

Bryce Salvador is another guy like that. Had a good career without being offensive OR being a traditional club footed stay at home guy.

[number9 3,297]

I think the BEST case scenario for Smith is that he develops his game to be a bit more like Johnny Oduya. He's a tough, fast skating, defenseman with oodles of athletic ability too. He doesn't score much, but he's made himself useful in other ways. He's a good penalty killer, a good shutdown guy, and moves the puck safely.

I've said this before, so forgive me if I'm a broken record, but Smith doesn't have the shot to be a point producer in the NHL. With the exception of freak talents like Karlsson, Doughty, or Subban (who do it all), most defensemen contribute offensively by getting their shots through and picking up assists on rebound goals. Smith's shot rarely gets through. It's what separates him from Kindl at this point in their careers.

If he wants a future in the NHL he's got to stop thinking of himself as an offensive d-man and add value in some other way. He's certainly a good enough skater, and a tough enough dude, to play a shutdown role. But he's got to embrace it.

Bryce Salvador is another guy like that. Had a good career without being offensive OR being a traditional club footed stay at home guy.

I just don't think the defensive shutdown smarts are there with him. But if he can do that/embrace that then yeah that's exactly the type of Dmen he could be.

I agree on the offense though. Kindl has seemed to always be the better man in that department.

[kickazz 5,459]

I just don't think the defensive shutdown smarts are there with him. But if he can do that/embrace that then yeah that's exactly the type of Dmen he could be.

I agree on the offense though. Kindl has seemed to always be the better man in that department.

They are definitely there. Just when he's sitting on the bench. My fav gif from this past season. Enjoy the link.

http://gfycat.com/SecondHappygoluckyHoneybee

Edited November 18, 2015 by kickazz

[kipwinger 8,658]

He's pretty clearly not a very smart player, but I think part of that comes from trying to do too much. If he simplifies his game, makes the easy, safe, pass coming out of the zone he could limit his mistakes to a greater degree. He's still have a lot of work to do on his zone coverage, which is generally terrible, but it's easier to improve in that regard when you're only focused on being a one way defender. His offense would be almost non-existent, but that's the case anyway.

Like I said, best case scenario. More likely case, he continues to struggle, bounces around after his contract is up (or gets traded) and falls out of the league before long. In today's game, everybody can skate. It's not that big of a leg up for him. If he doesn't find a way to contribute I don't see him catching on with anybody. There's a reason why he's struggling to maintain a roster spot, and it's not because the guys ahead of him (or competing with him) are otherworldly good.

[number9 3,297]

They are definitely there. Just when he's sitting on the bench. My fav gif from this past season. Enjoy the link.

http://gfycat.com/SecondHappygoluckyHoneybee

And people claim he doesn't have a good first pass lol

He's pretty clearly not a very smart player, but I think part of that comes from trying to do too much. If he simplifies his game, makes the easy, safe, pass coming out of the zone he could limit his mistakes to a greater degree. He's still have a lot of work to do on his zone coverage, which is generally terrible, but it's easier to improve in that regard when you're only focused on being a one way defender. His offense would be almost non-existent, but that's the case anyway.

Like I said, best case scenario. More likely case, he continues to struggle, bounces around after his contract is up (or gets traded) and falls out of the league before long. In today's game, everybody can skate. It's not that big of a leg up for him. If he doesn't find a way to contribute I don't see him catching on with anybody. There's a reason why he's struggling to maintain a roster spot, and it's not because the guys ahead of him (or competing with him) are otherworldly good.

Sadly I don't think many of our D have very good trade value outside of Kronwall and Dekeyser. Smith would be a "reclamation project" on a different team.

[kipwinger 8,658]

Torts would straighten him out. Getting him blocking shots and punching guys. It's the role he was born to play. Smith for Rychel. Straight up lol.

[Bill Berzeench 310]

Just a friendly heads up. There's a profanity filter for a reason. This is at least the 2nd time tonight I've seen you skirt it. Mods will get on you if they catch ya brother.

Maybe cause he could keep up in College and the AHL? If you didn't follow his early career he was a very good offensive D-men in those leagues. But in the NHL 80-90% of his career he's been pretty much useless. He had some good games in the playoffs last year yup, and when he first started and was paired with Lidstrom too. But there's a reason he's never risen above the 6th spot, and why Babs even tried to play him at Wing. Cause he blows. Not sure how that's so hard to see. He plays like he huffs paint before each shift. Has for a while now...

You are gasping and reaching now. Smith is good. If the Wings dont give him monutes, another team will. We have looked like hell 5 on 5 since we took him out. I think you are the one who picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue.

[number9 3,297]

You are gasping and reaching now. Smith is good. If the Wings dont give him monutes, another team will. We have looked like hell 5 on 5 since we took him out. I think you are the one who picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue.

Wait wait... my position is wrong because I'm not sniffing glue? lol

If you were not aware, most of the sane world does not sniff glue. But if that's your thing to each his own...

The 6th dman being the worst on the team = grasping/reaching? lol I would suggest going back and counting how many D men are on a starting roster and where the worst one goes on that roster. Hint: It's the opposite of the #1 spot!

Edited November 18, 2015 by number9

[Internet.Unknown 422]

You are gasping and reaching now. Smith is good. If the Wings dont give him monutes, another team will. We have looked like hell 5 on 5 since we took him out. I think you are the one who picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue.

For those wondering, I suspect this is a huge reason why Smith gets bashed more than, say, Big E. A number of posters claim "Smith is good" despite evidence and the opinion of coaches (past and present).

The truth of it is, Smith was good (in college and the AHL) but hasn't been consistently good in the NHL. To claim that he is "good" now is preposterous. The experts don't agree with you nor do facts and his body of work in the NHL.

P.S. Substitute "Jurco" for "Smith" and the message remains the same.

[Bill Berzeench 310]

For those wondering, I suspect this is a huge reason why Smith gets bashed more than, say, Big E. A number of posters claim "Smith is good" despite evidence and the opinion of coaches (past and present).

The truth of it is, Smith was good (in college and the AHL) but hasn't been consistently good in the NHL. To claim that he is "good" now is preposterous. The experts don't agree with you nor do facts and his body of work in the NHL.

P.S. Substitute "Jurco" for "Smith" and the message remains the same.

If we were 12-2-2 and leading our conference, your points would hold more weight. But we are in 8th and most of our wins have been against weaker teams. And we havent gone very far in the post season in the last 5 years. Perhaps taking the same viewpoints as our coaches isnt always the right thing???

[number9 3,297]

If we were 12-2-2 and leading our conference, your points would hold more weight. But we are in 8th and most of our wins have been against weaker teams. And we havent gone very far in the post season in the last 5 years. Perhaps taking the same viewpoints as our coaches isnt always the right thing???

Confused, why would his points hold more weight if we had a better record?

So you're essentially saying that Babcock AND Blashill have some hidden gem in Brendan Smith and that they've both failed to recognize it? Many of us disagree with the actions of coaches and management all the time, but this isn't like they're playing Datsyuk on the 4th line. Smith has been mostly terrible his entire time here. Even Smith's defenders admit that... but assert that they think he will be better in the future. This is why he plays where does. He's bad. He's done absolutely zero to prove otherwise... so I don't know what you're seeing him.

Edited November 18, 2015 by number9

[kickazz 5,459]

It's Bill.

He just supports Smith because he's his biggest fan.

Logical men are wrong when they point out all the statistics and visual proofs of Smith's screw ups.

The coach is bad because he doesn't play Smith.

The coach can't figure out his best players because he doesn't play Smith (ignoring the fact that the coach plays Dats, Zet, Nyquist, Tatar etc perfectly fine).

Also somehow Holland sucks because Smith is scratched.

Blah blah.

But then Bill also posted this (#321)

http://www.letsgowings.com/forums/topic/80424-roster-moves-by-the-wings/?p=2631818

So who knows....?

Edited November 18, 2015 by kickazz