It’s definitely harsh. Some just don’t have the patience to let kids develop. Smith is doing fine for his and the team’s situation. I wish they give this sort of rope to other young players to get them NHL experience.
This is a strawman, no one is expecting Smith to drag around those plugs; if he showed he was able to then he could play up the lineup. His ability to contribute at an NHL level at all consistently is a work in progress, Celebrini's is not. They are really in different places developmentally and should be treated and judged differently.
But thats the thing, they are judged by the same standards by you. Guess who was on the ice for both empty net goals against and both times he was defending air? Celebrini, but yet the one person back to try and stop the goal from happening is the one you locked on and criticized was smith. Why is it the less defensive responsible player smith was in the best position, while the one with the already perfect 200 foot game was way out of position to stop anything on both the goals?
You just complained there's a double standard, now you're saying there is the same standard. The bottom line is a player can be holding Celebrini back while Smith could be failing to keep up with that same player. Celebrini is a FAR better NHL player than Smith right now and there is no debate about that. I have yet to see Celebrini hold back a line, not once.
