I don’t know if Smith is as bad as we think he is.
He certainly has been bad. He has also been good at times. He has shown that he has the tools and that, when focused, he can play very well. That’s what led to his current contract.
I struggle to remember who he was most paired with the last time he played defense full time on this team, but I do believe we have a much better D core now than whenever that was. I also think a stint in Hartford, some nights in the press box and being used as a forward may have been a kick in the ass. Sometimes these guys get complacent and forget there may not be a next contract or they can find themselves riding pine/bus instead of living the NHL life.
Smith has grown into a great teammate and I don’t remember that aspect of him being as prominent earlier. He also seems to have more hustle and hunger. Playing on a pairing with Trouba also probably feels pretty good after the ups and downs of the past few years.
I’m not saying Smith will sustain this or that he’s transformed, but we do know the tools were always there. Certainly not the same thing, but he was also a former 1st round pick and, while older, it’s possible that he’s pulling a mini-Strome and finally getting his head on straight and bringing to bear the talent that allowed him to play well for stretches and be a 1st round selection. If that’s something Quinn has a hand in... getting guys like Strome and Smith to focus and realize their potential, all the better. A bit of a leap, I admit, but something I’m not ruling out.
I can see Smith being exactly what we’ve come to expect him to be. I can also see a small window of hope for the scenario in which he manages to solidify himself as the serviceable #4 type he was supposed to be for a few years (whether that’s here or not, different topic). Smith is definitely a likeable guy, so if he decides to turn it on for us now, or Trouba is just his ideal partner... I’m all for it.
He certainly has been bad. He has also been good at times. He has shown that he has the tools and that, when focused, he can play very well. That’s what led to his current contract.
I struggle to remember who he was most paired with the last time he played defense full time on this team, but I do believe we have a much better D core now than whenever that was. I also think a stint in Hartford, some nights in the press box and being used as a forward may have been a kick in the ass. Sometimes these guys get complacent and forget there may not be a next contract or they can find themselves riding pine/bus instead of living the NHL life.
Smith has grown into a great teammate and I don’t remember that aspect of him being as prominent earlier. He also seems to have more hustle and hunger. Playing on a pairing with Trouba also probably feels pretty good after the ups and downs of the past few years.
I’m not saying Smith will sustain this or that he’s transformed, but we do know the tools were always there. Certainly not the same thing, but he was also a former 1st round pick and, while older, it’s possible that he’s pulling a mini-Strome and finally getting his head on straight and bringing to bear the talent that allowed him to play well for stretches and be a 1st round selection. If that’s something Quinn has a hand in... getting guys like Strome and Smith to focus and realize their potential, all the better. A bit of a leap, I admit, but something I’m not ruling out.
I can see Smith being exactly what we’ve come to expect him to be. I can also see a small window of hope for the scenario in which he manages to solidify himself as the serviceable #4 type he was supposed to be for a few years (whether that’s here or not, different topic). Smith is definitely a likeable guy, so if he decides to turn it on for us now, or Trouba is just his ideal partner... I’m all for it.
