BigG44
Registered User
- Jul 12, 2007
- 24,127
- 1,579
People are rightfully scared of the major dip in offensive production. The problem here though is I doubt that's a scary to LV. Gemel Smith is nice, I really like him, but if you're telling me the choice is between those two, I doubt most GM's would ever pick Smith if they get their pick for free.
Like LT said, the hope is that Smith might have Eakin's ceiling. Eakin is at least an NHLer, and I'd say his issues won't be as pronounced when he's forced up the lineup by a coach for no good reason. I'd feel much more confident starting a new team that I would get productive minutes from Eakin than I would Smith, and Smith is only 3 years younger than Eakin.
At this same stage in development, Eakin was playing down the lineup where he belonged starting a good run of producing at an very good clip of 0.4 to 0.5 ppg in a Bottom 6 role.
Smith on the other hand is a year removed from playing in the ECHL because he couldn't secure an AHL role on a team not loaded with talent. Like I said, I really like the guy's skillset, but he's far from demonstrating he's a consistent NHLer.
I wouldn't make a rash decision off of one year. That's true of both players.
Now, you have two other issues. I don't think Dallas is going to be willing to lose Eakin or Roussel for nothing. One will be traded. The other issue is you're looking at the wrong guy IMO if you want a forward. I'd want Curtis McKenzie over Dallas' other forwards. I don't think he or Smith will likely be long time NHLers, and usually the smart choice is to go younger. That said, I'd say McKenzie has higher upside, and you never know, he might pull off an Eaves one year or two and actually score some goals. If someone is willing to plant his ass in front of the net on the PP like Dallas did with Eaves, Curtis proved in the AHL he's pretty solid at cleaning up the dirty goals with skilled teammates. It would be interesting to see him get some serious time in a role like that, but it will likely never happen in Dallas. Vegas could offer him that though, and he's already a very good Bottom 6 player.
Like LT said, the hope is that Smith might have Eakin's ceiling. Eakin is at least an NHLer, and I'd say his issues won't be as pronounced when he's forced up the lineup by a coach for no good reason. I'd feel much more confident starting a new team that I would get productive minutes from Eakin than I would Smith, and Smith is only 3 years younger than Eakin.
At this same stage in development, Eakin was playing down the lineup where he belonged starting a good run of producing at an very good clip of 0.4 to 0.5 ppg in a Bottom 6 role.
Smith on the other hand is a year removed from playing in the ECHL because he couldn't secure an AHL role on a team not loaded with talent. Like I said, I really like the guy's skillset, but he's far from demonstrating he's a consistent NHLer.
I wouldn't make a rash decision off of one year. That's true of both players.
Now, you have two other issues. I don't think Dallas is going to be willing to lose Eakin or Roussel for nothing. One will be traded. The other issue is you're looking at the wrong guy IMO if you want a forward. I'd want Curtis McKenzie over Dallas' other forwards. I don't think he or Smith will likely be long time NHLers, and usually the smart choice is to go younger. That said, I'd say McKenzie has higher upside, and you never know, he might pull off an Eaves one year or two and actually score some goals. If someone is willing to plant his ass in front of the net on the PP like Dallas did with Eaves, Curtis proved in the AHL he's pretty solid at cleaning up the dirty goals with skilled teammates. It would be interesting to see him get some serious time in a role like that, but it will likely never happen in Dallas. Vegas could offer him that though, and he's already a very good Bottom 6 player.
