As much as I don't like Smyth, I don't think he's been complacent, he's just been... stupid and not very good.
He's very old and his age is showing. The guy IS trying, he just can't move like he used to.
Without meaning to defend his play, and not what I'm doing here, it looks like he's behind on the play all the time now. As much as people say Smyth was always slow he's been one of the more resolute forecheckers in the game for his career. So he's used to being able to close on opposition.
This year he must be wondering W T F as he's sucking on exhaust fumes much of the time.
I think in large part there could be some denial going on in Smyth right now where there would be for any person aging and thinking they can still deliver X performance.
Nobody is more frustrated than Smyth I suspect. We'll find out if he has the extra gear still.
I will note here Smyth has been guilty of picking spots and resting through games at times since his first stint here. Judging from his play in LA, and Col, and last year for some reason he hasn't come close to bringing complete seasons. Large bodies of work where he's not getting production anyway. Usually not hurting the team much like in this case though. Usually when Smyth is low production he manages to be a low event player both ways. Not so much now.
By the time Smyth came back here ample questions were already being asked about his game. The start of last season if anything was quite surprising and far off what this player had been in recent seasons.
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I think he's still got the heart and try in him, he's just on a downward spiral which unfortunately is likely irreversible and terminal.
