We need to talk about Brendan Smith (Update: I jinxed him hard)

[Bench]

Since December 18th, an 8 game span, he has recorded 7 points (2 goals, 5 assists). He's had points in 6 of those 8 games. None of those have come on the powerplay.

In his previous 23 games, he recorded 3 points.

He's officially hot and generating offense. Has Smith turned the corner? Is this a sign of things to come or is he teasing us?

Click to read more...

 

[Dats13DET]

8 games shouldn't be enough to convince anyone that he's turned a corner. I think he'll cool down soon. This is the guy that got dangled by Charlie Coyle a few games back so it's not like he's playing otherworldly.

 

[The Zermanator]

Hopefully he keeps it up. But we've seen Smith have hot streaks before, looking like he was on the cusp of a breakout, only to regress into the player we've come to expect. So I'll remain skeptical for the time being.

 

[InjuredChoker]

i think we need to talk about how we chose hossa over franzen.




but yeah, smith has played really well lately. didn't even realize he had picked up so many points lately.

will we ever see him on the powerplay?

 

[Obe2kenobe]

Wow! I've missed half of those games didn't realize he has been producing so well, recently. I like the physical element of his game as well. Like the Chipchura fight. Let's hope he continues to produce.

 

[Vladdy84]

Glad to see. I've always been a fan. Now get Kronwall off the PP. More Smith and Green please.

 

[SoupNazi]

I suspect he is teasing us again.

 

[GoAwayDanCleary]

Even if he is teasing us, he's proven to be a quality defenseman to plant on your bottom pair. He has driven plenty of possession as well if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Bench]

will we ever see him on the powerplay?

Kindl was averaging a little over a minute of PP time when he was playing. Could probably slot that time out to Smith, if he's still driving offense like he has lately.

It will also be interesting to see how this works out when Quincey is back. If you include Quincey in the mix, Smith works out to be the #6 defender. Kronwall, DeKeyser, Green, Ericsson, Quincey, Smith.

Now I'm not a huge Smith fan, but... and this is a big but, if he's still helping produce offense, you simply can't ignore that on an offensively starved blueline.

 

[chances14]

probably just a fluke

 

[Classicnamesup]

Smith is the definition of a tease. I just hope we can stay on his wild ride for a while.

 

[SoupGuru]

I think he'll cool down as well. He's still really shaky in his own zone and his positioning is practically non-existent. He's at least making himself useful with his offensive contributions.

 

[Peter Tosh]

A lot of us had high hopes for him when he was still a prospect, and it's great if he finally is getting his big breakthrough. If not, the hot streak will at least benefit his trade value.

 

[WingedWheel1987]

Is there any evidence to suggest that his recent production is anything more than a fluke?

He certainly does not deserve the benefit of the doubt.

 

[Claypool]

will we ever see him on the powerplay?

We have and he's clueless. To be an effective power play defenseman you have to quaterback the point. Smith can't handle defensive pressure near the blue line, and he can't walk the line either. He's just not a smart player.

 

[Fugu]

I think he's finally playing "not scared." Babs had the guy scared to death, loss of confidence.


He also has an excellent chemistry with Datsyuk. I noticed this a couple of years ago.

 

[Fugu]

Is there any evidence to suggest that his recent production is anything more than a fluke?

He certainly does not deserve the benefit of the doubt.

Sure he does. With a new coach and some roster tweaks, I think everyone deserves the benefit of the doubt, but especially younger players.

 

[InjuredChoker]

We have and he's clueless. To be an effective power play defenseman you have to quaterback the point. Smith can't handle defensive pressure near the blue line, and he can't walk the line either. He's just not a smart player.

he doesn't necessarily need to, he could play as a rover.

 

[Winger98]

Only on the Wings is a 26 year old a "younger" player who needs time and space to define himself. The guy's always had the raw tools to be a decent player, maybe he's putting it together, more likely it's a tease and he is what he is. Take it while we can get it, though, and ride the horse until it collapses.

 

[Unfriendly Ghost]

It's not like the PP could be much worse. Give him a shot.

 

[obey86]

Only on the Wings is a 26 year old a "younger" player who needs time and space to define himself. The guy's always had the raw tools to be a decent player, maybe he's putting it together, more likely it's a tease and he is what he is. Take it while we can get it, though, and ride the horse until it collapses.

FWIW, Kronwall didn't establish himself in the NHL until age 26, Ericsson until age 26, Franzen was a 4th liner until age 28 when he randomly out of nowhere scored like 20 goals in 20 games or whatever, Abdelkader is working on his 2nd straight 20 goal/40 point season after somewhat breaking out at age 27 last year, Filppula was a ~40 point guy until age 27 when he put up 66 points, etc.

So, not like it would really be all that unprecedented around here.

 

[14ari13]

Smith and Richards have produced lately.

 

[TheOtherOne]

Well I think it's virtually guaranteed that he will cool down compared to the 7 points per 8 games pace. But nonetheless I'm excited by the new, very recent, Smith play, and you can call me cautiously optimistic about him.

At least between him and Kindl you can no longer call it a toss up

 

[Run the Jewels]

I recall during the 24/7 series where he went out for drinks with a few of the boys and his comment was that he always tries to get Pav the puck because there's a good shot you will get a secondary assist. He did have a pass on a recent Datsyuk goal that demonstrated pretty nice vision. Perhaps it has taken him all this time to identify Datsyuk in games and get him the puck.

 

[Actual Thought*]

He is 26. I would expect him to peak out over the next couple of years. I don't know that he will ever reach expectations but he should have his best years ahead of him still. NHL defenceman is a hard job to learn.