Coyotes fall one spot, select Will Smith in mock draft.
I think we'd be lucky to get Smith. I'll bet anyone a hamburger that Montreal slips below us and we get bumped another spot. I'm thinking we'll be in that Cristall, Sale and Dvorsky range.Major bummer
I'll take that hamburger bet. Six points in the standings is a lot of ground to make up for a team that is about to be gutted.I think we'd be lucky to get Smith. I'll bet anyone a hamburger that Montreal slips below us and we get bumped another spot. I'm thinking we'll be in that Cristall, Sale and Dvorsky range.
Yeah, I want in on this too. If we do a poll I'm predicting 5 wins in the last 32. I've seen this act before, too many times. It's going to be really depressing. For me, which means y'all'll be thrilled.I'll take that hamburger bet. Six points in the standings is a lot of ground to make up for a team that is about to be gutted.
Coyotes are spoilers in March and we have an easy February schedule where we'll get 8-10 points. I think we'll be lucky if we can stay ahead of San Jose.Yeah, I want in on this too. If we do a poll I'm predicting 5 wins in the last 32. I've seen this act before, too many times. It's going to be really depressing. For me, which means y'all'll be thrilled.
I think that’s the “it’s okay to reach for Reinbacher, here” range, unfortunately.I think we'd be lucky to get Smith. I'll bet anyone a hamburger that Montreal slips below us and we get bumped another spot. I'm thinking we'll be in that Cristall, Sale and Dvorsky range.
I'm basing my assumptions on two historical examples, and the belief that our roster is about to be pretty comprehensively gutted (lets say we lose Chychrun, Gostisbehere, Bjugstad, and Guenther stays down...and this is before any injuries):Coyotes are spoilers in March and we have an easy February schedule where we'll get 8-10 points. I think we'll be lucky if we can stay ahead of San Jose.
I just watched a 15 minute video of Smith in a recent game pretty much consisting entirely of Smith sitting at the opponents blueline and dogging it on the back check.everyone like's Moore's motor, it's right up there with Bensons...and I love "Go Motor" players, but he doesn't have the talent of Smith.
Smith makes "pro" plays, which is why I have him ranked higher than Benson. Smith's hockey IQ is off the charts. If he had a "Go Motor", I'd rank him above Fantilli.
Not going to disagree with this, as I've seen him be 'lazy' as well, but I've watched a lot of Smith's videos and he's the 80/20 player. If he had a 'Go Motor' like Benson or Moore, the dude would compete for 1st overall. He's got enormous talent, and I know that he doesn't seem to be a BA type player, but Geekie isn't a 'Go Motor' player, but he's really big and Smith isn't big, so yeah, not sure he's a BA type player.I just watched a 15 minute video of Smith in a recent game pretty much consisting entirely of Smith sitting at the opponents blueline and dogging it on the back check.
He just doesn't strike me as a BA type player
Interesting reply from Grant on this tweet..“many NHL scouts have Moore ranked ahead of Smith.”
BA has drafted tons of small skilled players in the early rounds. Schmaltz, Fabbri, Tarasenko, etc. Heck even Cooley is a small skilled guy. Most of these guys played with energy and tempo though and that's what I know I've missed out of Smith in the few USNDP games that I have managed to watch this year. Long stretches where you don't notice him at all. I turn on a Minnesota game and you don't even have to be watching to know that Cooley is on the ice because the puck always seems to find him and he's making plays. That's the difference. I don't see the effort with Smith and that concerns me despite his obvious skill level. You compare that to Bensen and it's the same thing as Cooley. Puck is always on his stick. He's always working his tail off. It's part of the reason I'm disappointed in Yager's game this year as well. Last year you noticed Yager. His shot alone got your attention. This year he just seems not as involved or not involved in the way you want him to be and I would have written Yager's name in ink a year ago in the top 10. Now? it's pencil and the eraser is in my hand. And I like Yager more than Smith...Not going to disagree with this, as I've seen him be 'lazy' as well, but I've watched a lot of Smith's videos and he's the 80/20 player. If he had a 'Go Motor' like Benson or Moore, the dude would compete for 1st overall. He's got enormous talent, and I know that he doesn't seem to be a BA type player, but Geekie isn't a 'Go Motor' player, but he's really big and Smith isn't big, so yeah, not sure he's a BA type player.
I agree, he's more Schmaltz in determination, but skill level is way higher. The thing that concerns me w/Benson is that he's not only short, but small...very small frame.BA has drafted tons of small skilled players in the early rounds. Schmaltz, Fabbri, Tarasenko, etc. Heck even Cooley is a small skilled guy. Most of these guys played with energy and tempo though and that's what I know I've missed out of Smith in the few USNDP games that I have managed to watch this year. Long stretches where you don't notice him at all. I turn on a Minnesota game and you don't even have to be watching to know that Cooley is on the ice because the puck always seems to find him and he's making plays. That's the difference. I don't see the effort with Smith and that concerns me despite his obvious skill level. You compare that to Bensen and it's the same thing as Cooley. Puck is always on his stick. He's always working his tail off. It's part of the reason I'm disappointed in Yager's game this year as well. Last year you noticed Yager. His shot alone got your attention. This year he just seems not as involved or not involved in the way you want him to be and I would have written Yager's name in ink a year ago in the top 10. Now? it's pencil and the eraser is in my hand. And I like Yager more than Smith...
I like Yager too but I do wonder if he’s a winger. I’m a little disappointed in Yager because I haven’t seen as much growth this season in him as I hoped for from last season. Not like Benson who’s improved leaps and bounds.BA has drafted tons of small skilled players in the early rounds. Schmaltz, Fabbri, Tarasenko, etc. Heck even Cooley is a small skilled guy. Most of these guys played with energy and tempo though and that's what I know I've missed out of Smith in the few USNDP games that I have managed to watch this year. Long stretches where you don't notice him at all. I turn on a Minnesota game and you don't even have to be watching to know that Cooley is on the ice because the puck always seems to find him and he's making plays. That's the difference. I don't see the effort with Smith and that concerns me despite his obvious skill level. You compare that to Bensen and it's the same thing as Cooley. Puck is always on his stick. He's always working his tail off. It's part of the reason I'm disappointed in Yager's game this year as well. Last year you noticed Yager. His shot alone got your attention. This year he just seems not as involved or not involved in the way you want him to be and I would have written Yager's name in ink a year ago in the top 10. Now? it's pencil and the eraser is in my hand. And I like Yager more than Smith...
Agree. Outside of maybe Bedard when he's motivated, because that kid's skating is nuts. I'm a big fan of Benson's will though, as he always seems to be striving for more. I'd easily take him over Smith, who is the complete opposite.I think Benson is more talented than Smith and had not only the best motor in this top ten but in the majority of top tens in several years at least.
Some consolidated rankings. Benson average above Smith’s.