Marchenko vs. Smith

[Bill Berzeench 310]

I like them both, but feel like we really need top of his game Smith a lot more than we need top of his game Marchenko. Marchenko seems to be getting hit by first full NHL season fatigue, and Smith has fluctuations in performance level that make us all cringe. Who do you play and why?

[joesuffP 1,746]

Smith has shown he can excel when given more responsibility. He may be a guy that needs a lot of looks to really be effective. Imagine what a guy like Subban would look like if he was playing 12 minutes a night with no power play time. Let him play with Kronwall or DD in the top 4.

Märchenkö will be a good replacement for Q. Quincey has been sensational at times but pretty inconsistent. Marchenko is a rookie and is still learning the ropes but has done a fine job. He will only get better. The only thing is right now we don't need more defense first guys. Our main strength is our speed, one of the fastest in the NHL but we can't play fast when our defense isn't getting the puck up ice quickly

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

Tough to say. One is better offensively and one is better defensively. We suck at both offense and defense right now. Pick your poison.

[canadian wings fan 305]

Brendan Smith makes the worst mistakes at the worst time. And his offensive production isn't nearly good enough to compensate

[krsmith17 7,191]

Smith all day.

It should be between Ericsson and Marchenko in my opinion.

[Jesusberg 1,256]

At this point, I don't think it should even be Smith vs. Marchenko. Sit one of the veteran guys. At the very least, it might serve as a wake-up call to one of them.

[joesuffP 1,746]

I don't know why but I'm not seeing the issues with Ericsson that everyone else is. He's a better skater and puck mover than Q and he will occasionally lay somebody out. Q hasn't been good at all down this stretch. He gets exposed against quick forechecks. Q might be a little stronger in front of the net but not by much

I'm starting to see why Holland was interested in Tyuten (spelling?) that guy is super mean and tough to play against. Would be nice to have a guy like that

Edited March 10, 2016 by joesuffP

[kipwinger 8,756]

Let me put it this way, the fact that these particular guys are seen as alternatives to one another is troubling. Smith is our best possession defenseman (not best offensive defenseman, and there's a difference). Marchenko is a good stay at home guy and pk option. Smith should be competing with Kronwall, Green, and (formerly) Kindl. Marchenko should be competing with Dekeyser, Quincey, and Ericsson. The fact that they're competing with each other is sort of willy nilly. But then again, if taking Ericsson out if the lineup is a non starter you're left with silly options.

[kickazz 5,459]

You're comparing apples to oranges by starting this thread. Can we remake one called Marchenko vs Quincey or Ericsson or something.

I think Marchenko is Quincey's replacement if we can't/won't resign Quincey.

Edited March 10, 2016 by kickazz

[krsmith17 7,191]

Exactly kip. Smith is our best possession defenseman by a long shot. He leads every defensemen on the team in virtually every possession category, and even rivals some of the top offensive guys in the league in possession stats... For example, Doughty leads all defensemen (with at least 300 minutes) in Corsi with a 58.8%, Smith is 8th in the league with 56.2%. On the Wings, he is first in Corsi, Corsi For / 60, Corsi Against / 60, Individual Corsi / 60, etc... He is by far the best skater on the back end, I would put him up there as one of the better stick handlers and passers as well, along with DeKeyser.

There is no way he should be scratched, and I think most of his biggest critiques would even agree with that... There are only two defensemen that should be in the lineup every night, DeKeyser and Smith, and of the other 5, I wouldn't be upset if they were scratched for a game here and there... Kronwall and Green have been subpar this season, but I'd keep both of them in most nights as well...

Edited March 10, 2016 by krsmith17

[Buppy 1,720]

Let me put it this way, the fact that these particular guys are seen as alternatives to one another is troubling. Smith is our best possession defenseman (not best offensive defenseman, and there's a difference). Marchenko is a good stay at home guy and pk option. Smith should be competing with Kronwall, Green, and (formerly) Kindl. Marchenko should be competing with Dekeyser, Quincey, and Ericsson. The fact that they're competing with each other is sort of willy nilly. But then again, if taking Ericsson out if the lineup is a non starter you're left with silly options.

Smith isn't good offensively, which means he isn't going to compete with Kronwall and Green. That he's a good possession player means that, ideally, he should be paired with one of those two, not replacing one. Dekeyser is our best all-around defenseman, with how much Kronwall has declined this year. Also due to how much Kronwall has declined, we need some good defensive players. Despite what people here think, both Ericsson and Quincey are good.

Smith is competing for a leftover spot. Play style isn't really important. We don't need anything that either Smith or Marchenko can provide (and maybe include one of Q or E in that). It's just a matter of who is more effective overall.

In this case, statistically it isn't close. Smith has been better than Marchenko in every measurable way, and the team is better with Smith. Another thing is that Smith is better defensively than he gets credit for. Good enough that competition with Q or E could be reasonable. Though that's a moot point, since Marchenko hasn't been good enough to compete with them. I can only assume that Blash is more familiar with Marchenko, and trusts him a bit more than Smith.

[Bill Berzeench 310]

I was waivering on the Ericsson bashing, but our defense looked horrid when he was hurt. Im all for giving Rig 20 mins a night and a lot of pk time.

[Internet.Unknown 422]

When we fans are trying to decide between Smith and Marchenko, our team stinks.

Would you like a turd or a poop?

[kickazz 5,459]

When we fans are trying to decide between Smith and Marchenko, our team stinks.

Would you like a turd or a poop?

Lmao this is true. Went from Lidstrom, Schneider, Rafalski, Chelios to Smith, Marchenko, Kindl, Ericsson. Two of whom were drafted in 7th and 9th round.

But it is what it is.

[Bill Berzeench 310]

Lmao this is true. Went from Lidstrom, Schneider, Rafalski, Chelios to Smith, Marchenko, Kindl, Ericsson. Two of whom were drafted in 7th and 9th round.

But it is what it is.

Yah. Im still trying to figure out who Ken Holland is including in "we".

[kipwinger 8,756]

Smith isn't good offensively, which means he isn't going to compete with Kronwall and Green. That he's a good possession player means that, ideally, he should be paired with one of those two, not replacing one. Dekeyser is our best all-around defenseman, with how much Kronwall has declined this year. Also due to how much Kronwall has declined, we need some good defensive players. Despite what people here think, both Ericsson and Quincey are good.

Smith is competing for a leftover spot. Play style isn't really important. We don't need anything that either Smith or Marchenko can provide (and maybe include one of Q or E in that). It's just a matter of who is more effective overall.

In this case, statistically it isn't close. Smith has been better than Marchenko in every measurable way, and the team is better with Smith. Another thing is that Smith is better defensively than he gets credit for. Good enough that competition with Q or E could be reasonable. Though that's a moot point, since Marchenko hasn't been good enough to compete with them. I can only assume that Blash is more familiar with Marchenko, and trusts him a bit more than Smith.

I was suggesting that Smith is good at puck movement, and transition, like Green and Kronwall. And I think out team does need better defense to offense transition. In terms of pairing him with one of them, I'm not against it. I was simply deferring to the tendency our coaches have had to put a good puck mover with a stay at home guy.

I agree that Smith is better than Marchenko though. Ideally we would have all of kronwall, green, dekeyser, and smith in the lineup filled out with two of the remaining three. I also don't think either Qiuncey or Ericsson are "bad", theyre both good in the defensive zone. But I do think Ericsson throws the puck away too much on the breakout, which is killing our ability to enter the ozone with speed.

[matt198913 932]

Should be between Ericsson and Marchenko.

[LeftWinger 5,131]

So many defense threads...someone should make one to talk about the D.....

[WingsallTheway 383]

Our worst Dmen on any given night can be any of Kronwall, Ericsson or Smith. I've watched every game this year and I never yell at my TV "WHAT ARE YOU DOING MARCHENKO" so to me, that is my answer for this thread.

The only bad thing I've noticed about Marchenko is he seems to get laid out big time about once a game. But, he always gets up right away and is never phased so who cares

Edited March 12, 2016 by WingsallTheway

[Bill Berzeench 310]

Our worst Dmen on any given night can be any of Kronwall, Ericsson or Smith. I've watched every game this year and I never yell at my TV "WHAT ARE YOU DOING MARCHENKO" so to me, that is my answer for this thread.

The only bad thing I've noticed about Marchenko is he seems to get laid out big time about once a game. But, he always gets up right away and is never phased so who cares

I think he had a solid 1st half. But he seems to be skating slower lately. Maybe 1st NHL season fatigue. Maybe playing with Kronwall making him look slower. I dunno.

[WingsallTheway 383]

I think he had a solid 1st half. But he seems to be skating slower lately. Maybe 1st NHL season fatigue. Maybe playing with Kronwall making him look slower. I dunno.

I agree that he has slowed down. Its his first season and Larkin, along with every other rookie we've ever had, are getting used to the grind.

I think Marchenko will be a solid guy for us for awhile.

Just noticed Marchy is a 7th round pick. Good for him, thats another steal I'd say.

Edited March 12, 2016 by WingsallTheway

[Krayzie_Bone 58]

Smith is a complete joke. He has no upside anymore. He has peaked. Move him to wing or release him.

[matt198913 932]

The more I look at the stats you can almost make the argument that this team would be better off without Kronwall. At least reduce his minutes.

[DickieDunn 2,571]

Neither are really good, Marchenko makes far less, cap space is at a premium, Marchenko still has upside therefore trade Smith.

The more I look at the stats you can almost make the argument that this team would be better off without Kronwall. At least reduce his minutes.

Kronwall was apparently hurting all year, which would explain the drop in his play. Once he gets his legs back under him I expect a turn around.

[Andy Pred 48 337]

Look at our results when Kronwall and Green were both out together, will tell you all you need to know.

Out of the team, not out on the ice together