It wouldnt make much sense with the quality of our D prospects so I expect a 2-3 year deal for him
Exactly. At least a three year deal for Quincey.
It wouldnt make much sense with the quality of our D prospects so I expect a 2-3 year deal for him
We are 4-0-0 when Smith is out of the lineup.
Quincey is the bigger scapegoat for many in here, but still, we are winning games when he is not paired with Smith. Quincey is not perfect and could be overpaid, but he is not the biggest problem in our team at the moment.
I don't think Smith will ever be a good defensive defenseman. But he's the guy with FIFTY****INGTHREE GAMES TO HIS NAME
And just like that, Smitty turns in a steady performance tonight.
I think Quincey has been better this year, but it's obvious that him and Smith just don't work well together. I agree, put Smith with DD and Kindl with Quincey.Its amazing that as soon as hes away from Quincey he manages that. Should keep Kindl and Quincey together after this game and put DD and Smith together.
I think Quincey has been better this year, but it's obvious that him and Smith just don't work well together. I agree, put Smith with DD and Kindl with Quincey.
Smith will definitely have to step up his game in the future. A lot of young D talent in the system with XO, Sproul, Marachenko etc.
IMO Sproul is the only one that will really challenge smith for a spot because IMO he is the only one of our prospect d men that is on the same or a higher level as Smith when it comes to offensive upside, and he'll need at least a couple of years in GR before he's ready for a shot at the nhl.
My patience with Keith is waining. Outlet passes and stickhandling are things that every NHL level defenseman should be able to do without question. Duncan has trouble with those two skills sometimes.
Keith has the worst outlet pass ever. His gaffes and turnovers are getting old quick.
Totally agree. I get nervous each time he starts handling the puck in the defensive zone.
I honestly don't see why he's so hyped. I think his biggest asset is his physical conditioning....big whoop.
Agreed. Smith's high end potential seems to be Kronwall esque player, he'll be a good #2/#3 but won't be a #1. He can play in all situations though he'll make a brain fart or 2 every now and then, Kronwall has gotten better & if his play so far this year is an indication he could be considered a legit #1 now.
I think a lot of you are giving up on Smith too fast. He's had some growing pains but he hasn't been put in a situation where can let his natural abilities shine. He's been playing with another defenceman who likes to be able to produce offensively & is not great defensively himself. This has lead to neither on being all that comfortable with one another & both of their games suffer because of it, it's like putting Ketchup on Ice Cream both are good by themselves but together they're awful.
Let's also not get confused about his upside. He is not & more then likely will never will be a stud on the defensive end, his bread & butter will be on the offensive end & in the transition game. He should give us 35-45 points a year while bringing a mean physical game, if he can be just average defensively he'll find a spot on our team.
I was reading through some old threads about players that people had the wrong read about. Here's what some people had to say about Duncan Keith back in 07.
(Here's the thread if you want to read it yourself http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showthread.php?t=431991&highlight=duncan+keith )
Now I don't expect Smith to be as good as Keith but in general us posters are very quick to make judge & it takes a lot for us to change our minds on a player, not t mention our whipping boys. If Smith is still making the same mistakes in 2 or 3 years I'll be worried but he gets at least that much time to sort out his game.
I don't think the problem is Duncan Keith--the problem is pairing him with Seabrook. Those two just don't complement each other at all. He needs someone to stay in the back end.
Keith looked amazing against Dallas. Consistency will come with time, although I'd be happier if he was paired with someone who has the experience to cover for him after the inevitable blunders.
I heard good things about him last year, but he was horrendous on the ice. Brutal passes, terrible decisions and poor placement. He was so out of position on 2 powerplay goals I couldn't believe Savard had him killing penalties.
I don't think Smith will ever be a good defensive defenseman. But he's the guy with FIFTY****INGTHREE GAMES TO HIS NAME
Very good point. I also feel like Smith did not get that seasoning as other guys have. Even Kindl spent lots of time playing 6/7th man.
If you ask me? If they cannot unload any defensemen and still need a forward (end up unloading too many forwards...you never know at this point)? Turn Smith into a Winger. The dude has great offensive instincts, just doesn't have the greatest of defensive capacities to be a full time defenseman (always was hi weakness).
I will say this. If they try it and it's a hit? We might have a good 2-way player on our hands. I would take that risk first if I were to consider trading him...and at this point? If were the GM? It's not out of the question.
The experiment worked for Big Rig (turning him into a D-man)...why not give this a try? Didn't Burns go forward and seems to be rocking it?
Interesting "crazy" idea. These things have happened recently with some success. Burns... Byfuglien... Ericsson... always a big guy for some reason.
I find it funny how people are always complaining about Smiths defensive game even though everyone in the world can tell you that he wasn't drafted for that. Smith is an offensive defenseman and he always has been. Maybe some of you should reconsider your defensive expectations for him because I personally don't expect him to be any more that average defensively.
I agree with a lot of what a lot of people have already said, Quincey & Smith make an awful pair. IMO the problem with the pair is that neither of them are good defensively, but they both like to play an offensive game. What Smith needs is what all other offensive d-man need, a steady defensive first partner. DD or Ericsson would probably be an improvement. Hell, even Ouellet looked like a significantly better partner for Smith.
I think a lot of people are forgetting about the positives things that Smith did. Like his 7 pts in 14 games 2011-12 (with was the same amount of pts Nyquist had but in more games). During that call up Smith was playing his game which was rushing the puck up the ice/joining the rush and creating offense. The Smith that he have seen this year and last year doesn't even look like the same player compared to his 2011-2012 call up. Right now hes not playing his game and he's not producing points, but Babcock is making him play a defensive role which he isn't good at, so he's not producing points and he's playing crappy defense, which is incredibly frustrating.
Byfuglien was a net front 3rd/4th line, converted to defines