Player Discussion: Gemel Smith

[LightningStrikes]

Looks like he's going to make the main roster. Good news for him, especially given this:

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[DFC]

I think he's one of the guys who'll go down when our injured players (3) return. At the same time, I don't think he was on many radars to make the opening night line-up, so just being here is big.

 

[BeingTheThunder]

I think he's one of the guys who'll go down when our injured players (3) return.

I don't know if I would be so sure about that. The kid really impressed me with his relentlessness, especially on the PK. I don't think it would be crazy to think he could outplay the younguns' and stick around.

 

[DFC]

I don't know if I would be so sure about that. The kid really impressed me with his relentlessness, especially on the PK. I don't think it would be crazy to think he could outplay the younguns' and stick around.

Yeah, but we've seen and moved on from a lot of relentless players who could never turn that relentlessness into any sort of offense. I know not everybody has to be offensively gifted, but you also don't to see plays dying on the same guy's stick over and over.

 

[God King Fudge]

I loved his game. I think having players like him available is going to be big for us this year. We had an enormous problem last year with not having guys that can impact the game without scoring. I feel like with Maroon, Witko, Smith, we've got some guys who have lots of motor to give outside of making a pretty pass or scoring a goal.

Even if he goes down it'll be nice having that type of player available to us throughout.

 

[BeingTheThunder]

Yeah, but we've seen and moved on from a lot of relentless players who could never turn that relentlessness into any sort of offense. I know not everybody has to be offensively gifted, but you also don't to see plays dying on the same guy's stick over and over.

Except Palat. Plays have been dying on Palat's stick for the last year and a half.

 

[DFC]

Except Palat. Plays have been dying on Palat's stick for the last year and a half.

Yeah. And look how the fanbase is reacting to him. That'll be true of anybody who can't contribute some sort of offense. Adam Erne, JT Brown, Brett Connolly way back when. We've had a lot of players who do good things, but we tend to sour on them if they can't produce a little something.

 

[Felonious Python]

Yeah, but we've seen and moved on from a lot of relentless players who could never turn that relentlessness into any sort of offense. I know not everybody has to be offensively gifted, but you also don't to see plays dying on the same guy's stick over and over.

I think the difference for guys like Smith and Witkowski this time may be the game they're being asked to play. It's more about keeping it simple and emphasizing their grit than needing them to play an intricate speed/possession game.

 

[DFC]

I think the difference for guys like Smith and Witkowski this time may be the game they're being asked to play. It's more about keeping it simple and emphasizing their grit than needing them to play an intricate speed/possession game.

Nah, I get that. I just think, over time, frustration builds.

I'm just not sure a strong pre-season equals a full time job for a guy, or guys, who have a history of yo-yo'ing.

 

[Felonious Python]

Nah, I get that. I just think, over time, frustration builds.

I'm just not sure a strong pre-season equals a full time job for a guy, or guys, who have a history of yo-yo'ing.

I generally agree with that, but the strong pre-seasons are for role players in role player spots. The guys you've got to watch out for are the surprise scorers. Verhaeghe is probably the biggest threat of that.

 

[LightningStrikes]

 

[VoluntaryDom]

he could possibly be legitimately good defensively, hope that happens. like him more than paquette as the 4c if im being honest.

 

[BeingTheThunder]

Assigned to Syracuse. Point's return must be imminent.

 

[DFC]

Could it be Paquette? Has there been word on Point?

 

[BeingTheThunder]

Could it be Paquette? Has there been word on Point?

According to Joe Smith, Point may be ready to play Thursday.

 

[bov]

I actually liked what I saw from Gemel Smith. He was in a tough spot centering Maroon and Witkowski, basically having to be the main driver of play for that line. I guess Point pushes him out of the lineup but as an extra/callup, don't mind it one bit.

 

[Whoshattenkirkshoes]

Gemel Smith was garbage

 

[Boltswin]

Gemel Smith was garbage

Thought of making a joke about it being a certain player’s fault, but, you didn’t laugh last time

 

[LightningStrikes]

What a game he’s had!

 

[JFleegs]

Looking back at some of the highlights, gemel was a monster out there. That steal on Carter V followed by the nifty backhand pass to Johnny for the goal was a thing of beauty. Then the steal in the o zone pass to Volkov for his first. Guy deserves more ice time that’s for damn sure.

 

[Byrddog]

Why does every player have to have there skeletons brought out. I really like Smiths game last game. I hope he does well. Knowing all the while hes a young player and just as likely to fail than to succeed. Honestly at the moment we need these kids to play well every day. Imagine if you will now if Killorn and Johnny had been traded. Thats a ugly picture.

 

[These Are The Days]

Why does every player have to have there skeletons brought out

The unfortunate truth is mental health has a bad stigma attached to it and tens of millions of people are either indifferent or uneducated. When athletes come out about mental health skeletons, it provides more exposure and profile to the issues that the common person overlooks. My sister, dad and grandmother are completely batshit nuts bipolar with borderline personality disorder. I got lucky just suffering from really bad depression.

Now whose story in the Tampa Bay area is gonna get the exposure? Mine or Paul Ranger's? My dad or Arron Sears of the Bucs? It might be a pain in the ass to hear about sometimes but believe me when I say more needs to be said and done

 

[LightningStrikes]