Player Discussion Brendan Smith

[Thirty One]

Smith doesn't know it but today is the first day in his life he's going to have to figure out how to explain to a toddler that THIS IS A BUSINESS, NOLAN, WE HAVE TO LIVE IN HARTFORD NOW DEAL WITH IT. ENJOY MY MILLIONS YOU SPOILED BRAT AND SUCK IT UP.

This is a masterpiece.

 

[bobbop]

So...after four games, Brendan Smith has arguably been the Rangers best defenseman. (I know what you are thinking, cream of the crap) Irregrdless, he has been assertive, somewhat dependable and certainly a much better player than we saw a year ago.

Now what happens before we try to monetize this asset? Is there a trade market there?

 

[Hi ImHFNYR]

If he keeps this up all season then friggin holden netted a 3rd so...

Liking those odds. If he's a good leader, having learned from last year, then I'd rather keep him if we cant get a 1st or a 2nd+ (or a prospe t around that value). It's good to have a few vets around

 

[nyr2k2]

So...after four games, Brendan Smith has arguably been the Rangers best defenseman. (I know what you are thinking, cream of the crap) Irregrdless, he has been assertive, somewhat dependable and certainly a much better player than we saw a year ago.

Now what happens before we try to monetize this asset? Is there a trade market there?

I'd think there's a market, somewhat limited because he has multiple years left. Maybe with some retention you could get a decent return.

He has been good, though. I'm happy to keep him since he's versatile in that he can play on the right, so he's not as much of an impediment as he would be if he could only play one side.

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

So...after four games, Brendan Smith has arguably been the Rangers best defenseman. (I know what you are thinking, cream of the crap) Irregrdless, he has been assertive, somewhat dependable and certainly a much better player than we saw a year ago.

Now what happens before we try to monetize this asset? Is there a trade market there?

Toronto got lots of cap space, looking to trade Nylander, need a Dman, and Babcock used to coach Smith in Detroit so I think the stars are aligning for this to happen. Of course Gorton will mess it up.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Toronto got lots of cap space, looking to trade Nylander, need a Dman, and Babcock used to coach Smith in Detroit so I think the stars are aligning for this to happen. Of course Gorton will mess it up.

You are stating it as fact, and when the trade doesn't happen it's somehow Gorton's fault

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

I think this is the most recent thread regarding #42...?

Am I the only one who thinks he's been really quite good in his newfound role so far this year?

 

[nyr2k2]

I think this is the most recent thread regarding #42...?

Am I the only one who thinks he's been really quite good in his newfound role so far this year?

I think he's been pretty good. If he made like $1.5M or something I'd be happy to have him around, given that he can adequately play forward or defense, and play both sides on defense. His contract sucks but hopefully he can keep it up and prove to still be somewhat useful.

 

[ColonialsHockey10]

It was great when they focused on him on the bench and a box popped up saying he had played 27 minutes in the game already (it was a bit more than halfway done).

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

I think this is the most recent thread regarding #42...?

Am I the only one who thinks he's been really quite good in his newfound role so far this year?

honestly I thought he wasn't bad in every season with us, including one where they sent him to Hartford. I also don't mind him playing forward or Dman.

 

[bobbop]

I’ve been pleasantly surprised by Smith.

I expect this too will pass.

 

[True Blue]

I’ve been pleasantly surprised by Smith.

I expect this too will pass.

Not necessarily. He has been essentially playing two roles, 4th line wing and a PK defenseman. His actual time playing D has been highly reduced by that fact. I actually believe that he can play such a role all year and be fine. This is about what I expected. Now if an injury occurs and instead of calling up a Lindgren, they choose to insert Smith back into the top-6, there is when the regression can occur.

 

[Deleted member 23124]

I thought his play would improve once Chewy was gone....

 

[LORDE]

Not necessarily. He has been essentially playing two roles, 4th line wing and a PK defenseman. His actual time playing D has been highly reduced by that fact. I actually believe that he can play such a role all year and be fine. This is about what I expected. Now if an injury occurs and instead of calling up a Lindgren, they choose to insert Smith back into the top-6, there is when the regression can occur.

I assume you mean defensemen but that portion of your sentence made my eyes bleed.

 

[True Blue]

I assume you mean defensemen but that portion of your sentence made my eyes bleed.

That is correct and yes, that is the feeling.

 

[ZiGOODejad]

Let’s bump this cause he’s been surprisingly well at forward to start the year. I’d like to see him mix it up a little more and show his tenacity like he use to in the old days with Detroit

 

[aufheben]

I think this is the most recent thread regarding #42...?

Am I the only one who thinks he's been really quite good in his newfound role so far this year?

I think the dude's been straight-up awesome. Nothing about his play indicates to me a hot start, I just think he fits better at forward.

Leads team in 5v5 Hits, one of the few players with a positive xGF%. On the PK he has a 20.45 FF%, 2.04 GA/60, both first.

He brings energy and enthusiasm every night and is able to get things going north-south on the occasions when the rest of the team is trying 500 cross-ice passes.

 

[Bob Richards]

Brendan Smith being solid at forward is both incredibly hilarious and incredibly Brendan Smith

 

[Raspewtin]

if he keeps this up i have no problem bringing him back at the end of his deal (for less cap, of course....)

 

[will1066]

Let’s bump this cause he’s been surprisingly well at forward to start the year. I’d like to see him mix it up a little more and show his tenacity like he use to in the old days with Detroit

Bad idea to me. It could lead to lack of discipline and a parade to the box like his olden days. What he's doing now is solid, no need to tinker.

 

[eco's bones]

if he keeps this up i have no problem bringing him back at the end of his deal (for less cap, of course....)

By then he'll be 32. If we're signing him as a 4th liner/6-7 D--I wouldn't go over $1 mil. I would also hope that some of our young players will have improved significantly by then and some more of our prospects are in the mix.

 

[Leonardo87]

Smith has been very good. His cap hit is still high for what he does, but he has taken this role and really done a great job with it.

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

By then he'll be 32. If we're signing him as a 4th liner/6-7 D--I wouldn't go over $1 mil. I would also hope that some of our young players will have improved significantly by then and some more of our prospects are in the mix.

Yes, but he’s not blocking anyone of consequence if he’s playing 4th line minutes and serving as the emergency D. And actually, is providing real value. In fact, that can be a great leadership role: “let me tell you youngins, I thought I was all that, signed a big contract, went out and partied... and I was almost out of the league. But worked my tail off, played wherever they told me to play...” etc., etc.

That said, I do agree you don’t overpay for that role if you decide to bring him back.

 

[eco's bones]

Yes, but he’s not blocking anyone of consequence if he’s playing 4th line minutes and serving as the emergency D. And actually, is providing real value. In fact, that can be a great leadership role: “let me tell you youngins, I thought I was all that, signed a big contract, went out and partied... and I was almost out of the league. But worked my tail off, played wherever they told me to play...” etc., etc.

That said, I do agree you don’t overpay for that role if you decide to bring him back.

Maybe--but to me someone like Tim Gettinger is tailor made for a bottom 6 role and he's never going to be a top 6. Gettinger could be a very effective 4th liner ala a kind of Brian Boyle for the wing. That's the kind of player that would push Smith out of job. Gettinger has great size, pretty good skating, can play a physical game, has great reach and those qualities could add up to a really good 4th line/penalty killer who could put up 20 points a year.

As far as Smith's switching ability from forward to D---we have such a glut of promising young defensemen that I'd rather not just let them all wallow in the AHL for the sake of a 30-something year old. It's useful his being able to switch but I wouldn't be holding up the progress of our prospects for that kind of a tradeoff.

So if we're resigning Brendan Smith--it's a temporary thing. 1 year--$1 mil and if we're not it's because our prospects are ready to push him out.

 

[NYRFANMANI]

@RGY How you like me now?