Who do we want to see back after next season?

[wadesworld]

That's not true though, that line has scored far fewer even strength points per game since Smith was put on it.

Well, that was to be expected.

When you compose our top line of our top 3-scorers, they're going to be the highest performing line.

But remember all the hand-wringing and gnashing of teeth about the fact only our 1st line was scoring? This was Lavi's solution - move one of our top scorers to the second line at the possible expense of a bit of scoring on the first line.

Remember how we were all ready to give up on Colin Wilson? It's only this year that he's played up to the ability we thought he had, but had never really shown. The same may happen for Craig Smith. He may one day turn into the forward we hope he can be, but until then we get a solid 20-ish goal guy. I'm not saying Smith will ever be James Neal or Filip Forsberg, but he might get back to a 50-point guy, and if so, we should be thrilled.

 

[Infinite Jest]

Well, that was to be expected.

When you compose our top line of our top 3-scorers, they're going to be the highest performing line.

But remember all the hand-wringing and gnashing of teeth about the fact only our 1st line was scoring? This was Lavi's solution - move one of our top scorers to the second line at the possible expense of a bit of scoring on the first line.

Sure, but Smith clearly isn't a fit on that line, at least not at his current level/style of play. I'm not saying reunite the top line, I'm saying find a better fit, because right now Smith is terrible for that line. It doesn't even need to be a top line player, just someone who meshes better. Guys like Dale Weise, Patrick Eaves and other VERY mediocre hockey players are much more successful than Craig Smith on their respective top lines.

 

[Persona5]

The good thing about Smith is the effort level is there game in and game out. He really is flying around out there every game and is more aggresive on the forecheck than Ribs or Forsberg happen to be. I really think it is only a matter of time before he starts producing again.

 

[Infinite Jest]

The good thing about Smith is the effort level is there game in and game out. He really is flying around out there every game and is more aggresive on the forecheck than Ribs or Forsberg happen to be. I really think it is only a matter of time before he starts producing again.

Effort is nice, but Smith has 2, TWO, even strength points in his last 13 games and only 3 points total. How long can we wait him for him to start producing?

 

[wadesworld]

Effort is nice, but Smith has 2, TWO, even strength points in his last 13 games and only 3 points total. How long can we wait him for him to start producing?

The evidence would suggest if he's doing what he's supposed to do, and the line as a whole is producing, the coaches don't really care who is actually finishing the play.

 

[Infinite Jest]

The evidence would suggest if he's doing what he's supposed to do, and the line as a whole is producing, the coaches don't really care who is actually finishing the play.

The line as a whole is producing much, much less at even strength though and I think Craig Smith is a big part of that, maybe he's snake bitten or maybe he just doesn't fit that line. Either way, I think he's dragging down Forsberg and Ribeiro right now.

 

[Viqsi]

The evidence would suggest if he's doing what he's supposed to do, and the line as a whole is producing, the coaches don't really care who is actually finishing the play.

You get a cookie.

* * *​

The line as a whole is producing much, much less at even strength though and I think Craig Smith is a big part of that, maybe he's snake bitten or maybe he just doesn't fit that line. Either way, I think he's dragging down Forsberg and Ribeiro right now.

Either that or defenses are focusing more heavily on that line. These things tend to happen now and again, y'know.

 

[Infinite Jest]

Either that or defenses are focusing more heavily on that line. These things tend to happen now and again, y'know.

How about when they're at home and get tons of offensive zone starts and play weak competition? Still not producing then...

Every line on the team faces tougher competition than Smith/Ribeiro/Forsberg, and that line also has the highest offensive zone start % by far, yet they are still failing to produce. Your statement is a nice deflection, but the numbers fail to back it up.

 

[glenngineer]

You lock up Wilson as he's doing what we all thought he could do. The kid is a power forward, just ask Mark Stuart. Those don't grow on trees. It took him a while to get to where he is and I would hate to lose him in a few years over a few dollars. You've got a coach that believes in him. You've got a player that believes in himself.

Anyone notice how much better as a team we played with him in the lineup than the two games without him? He has been as important as anyone in the lineup the last 30 games. He has stepped it up massively and with his confidence growing, he is only going to get better. He is a guy that makes plays shift in and shift out and makes those around him better.

 

[Infinite Jest]

You lock up Wilson as he's doing what we all thought he could do. The kid is a power forward, just ask Mark Stuart. Those don't grow on trees. It took him a while to get to where he is and I would hate to lose him in a few years over a few dollars. You've got a coach that believes in him. You've got a player that believes in himself.

Anyone notice how much better as a team we played with him in the lineup than the two games without him? He has been as important as anyone in the lineup the last 30 games. He has stepped it up massively and with his confidence growing, he is only going to get better. He is a guy that makes plays shift in and shift out and makes those around him better.

He's been amazing over the past 30 or so games, exactly what we all hoped he could be when he was drafted. Hopefully he's able to keep it up over the rest of the season and into the future.

 

[glenngineer]

He's been amazing over the past 30 or so games, exactly what we all hoped he could be when he was drafted. Hopefully he's able to keep it up over the rest of the season and into the future.

And not that I put a ton in to the plus/minus stat but he is a plus 23 for us. Not too shabby.

 

[thecloser]

Fisher, UFA - 2 @ 3,500,000
Cullen, UFA - gone
Jokinen, UFA - gone
Wilson, RFA - 4 @ 4,250,000
Smith, RFA - traded or 3 @ 3,150,000
Ribeiro, UFA - 2 @ 3,000,000
Jarnkrok, RFA - 2 @ 1,750,000
Borque, RFA - traded/released
Beck, RFA - traded/released

 

[PredsHabs]

The line as a whole is producing much, much less at even strength though and I think Craig Smith is a big part of that, maybe he's snake bitten or maybe he just doesn't fit that line. Either way, I think he's dragging down Forsberg and Ribeiro right now.

I agree and the numbers back you and others up.


I want to keep Wilson, Fisher, Jarnkrok, and Ribeiro for sure.

 

[Dave is a killer]

I want everyone back with the exceptions being Bourque, Smith, Cullen & Olli

 

[NSH615]

I want everyone back with the exceptions being Bourque, Smith, Cullen & Olli

I say keep Smith for the 3rd line, but you are forgetting to dump Volchenkov.

 

[Gnashville]

Hopefully the Oilers sign Bourque at 8 million per year.

 

[Byrddog]

Hopefully the Oilers sign Bourque at 8 million per year.

lol that would have to be Toronto or Philly to do that.

 

[Dave is a killer]

I say keep Smith for the 3rd line, but you are forgetting to dump Volchenkov.

Thought that was understood... my bad for not being specific enough

 

[stupid forum]

Fisher, UFA - no (Sissons)
Cullen, UFA - no (Fiala, Aberg, or Arvidsson)
Jokinen, UFA - no (Salomaki)
Wilson, RFA - yes
Smith, RFA - yes
Ribeiro, UFA - yes
Jarnkrok, RFA - yes
Borque, RFA - no (trade at draft)
Beck, RFA - no (trade at draft)

 

[Dave is a killer]

Fisher, UFA - no (Sissons)
Cullen, UFA - no (Fiala, Aberg, or Arvidsson)
Jokinen, UFA - no (Salomaki)
Wilson, RFA - yes
Smith, RFA - yes
Ribeiro, UFA - yes
Jarnkrok, RFA - yes
Borque, RFA - no (trade at draft)
Beck, RFA - no (trade at draft)

That's a bold strategy Cotton, let's see if it pays off ... bold first post

 

[stupid forum]

That's a bold strategy Cotton, let's see if it pays off ... bold first post

I can explain

1-2 lines Fisher-Ribeiro can give us better outcome than Ribeiro-Jarnkrok

but it looks a bit a temporary decision - what I an afraid the most - ceasing of progress of both Jarnkrok and Sissons.

The centers Ribeiro-Jarnkrok-Sissons-Gaustad is a better long-term solution because 1 season can provide Jarn and Siss with experience needed.

Its risky yes but its our future.

 

[Jonesey]

Fisher, UFA - no (Sissons)
Cullen, UFA - no (Fiala, Aberg, or Arvidsson)
Jokinen, UFA - no (Salomaki)
Wilson, RFA - yes
Smith, RFA - yes
Ribeiro, UFA - yes
Jarnkrok, RFA - yes
Borque, RFA - no (trade at draft)
Beck, RFA - no (trade at draft)

Less than 0% chance Fisher is anywhere but Nashville next season.

 

[stupid forum]

Less than 0% chance Fisher is anywhere but Nashville next season.

If we trade Sissons I will be happy with this statement.

 

[NSH615]

If we trade Sissons I will be happy with this statement.

I have a feeling both will be a Pred/in the system next year. Sissons wouldn't be on the 2nd line next year anyways .

 

[stupid forum]

I have a feeling both will be a Pred/in the system next year. Sissons wouldn't be on the 2nd line next year anyways .

Jarn - 2d, Siss - 3d