If you could have combined the the best traits of the two you would have had a HOFer.
Gradin was definitely more talented, but Smyl had one of the best motors this team has ever been graced with.
Tie?
Smyl was like a poor man's Linden in his prime. He didn't have the skills/talent Linden had - but he had him fairly matched in the heart/leadership department.
Gradin even though he was a "finesse" player, would've probably punched Marchand back if he tried that stunt on him:
(go to about 4:40 of the video).
I mentioned already Fraser....I think all three "ticked all the boxes" on what you want on a line in the NHL back "in those days". It's no surprise that line 'clicked' even as essentially all NHL rookies/sophmores. Fraser wasn't just a knuckledragger (though as Binose mentioned - I'd argue 'pound for pound' he was along the best fighters in the league - with knockout ability [had some martial arts background I think]), he had some hockey skills, I seem to recall he had a fairly good shot.
I also *think* he was playing with an undiagnosed illness (diabities) at least during his time with the Canucks. Don't know alot about the illness (even less about the treatments available for it during the 80s) but I have to guess it might've affected his performance negatively (re: impacted his physical strength at times if his blood sugar levels were off - food nutrition I don't believe was that big a thing in those days).