TheOtherOne
Registered User
- Jan 2, 2010
- 8,284
- 5,302
It's gonna be hard to ask this without sounding argumentative, but i promise I'm just asking out of curiosity.
What was the es production you refer to? How many points in how many games?
Smith, 5pts, -5 in last 38 games
- Thread starter SoupGuru
- Start date
It's gonna be hard to ask this without sounding argumentative, but i promise I'm just asking out of curiosity.
What was the es production you refer to? How many points in how many games?
Frk It
Mo Seider Less Problems
- Jul 27, 2010
- 36,864
- 15,740
No offense taken. Sorry if I'm grouchy today, it's -12 today, my body doesn't like that too much.
Last year Smith's 19 ESP led all of our defenseman in even strength scoring. His even strength production per 60 minutes played was actually 44th best among all defenseman in the league. Ahead of guys like Subban, Chara, Fowler in this specific regard.
Part of why his numbers have plummeted, which they have, is because he went from playing with 1st line forwards to 3rd line-4th line forwards. Part of it is that he's flat out not playing well, and not playing as well as he showed us last year he can.
BinCookin
Registered User
I think the change in our PP is really sort of a big deal.
This is not about point shots anymore. Its about having the forwards play down low.
The Defender in this case needs to be good at receiving and dealing out passes, and holding the line. In fact for the most part shots from that 1 D man is a horrible idea, because if it is blocked... shorthanded 2on1. And we have certainly seen enough of those this year.
In this case I feel we are using our 2 best passing D men on the power play... Kronwall and DD. Thus we are utilizing the right guys currently.
BinCookin
Registered User
A good example of the most deadly PP right now is this
X - X net front guys
X-----X (giroux, Voracek)
----X---- (Central D-man; Streit)
His job is to basically to help movement. With an occasional shot, basically something tipable, and this usually happens after a net front pile up.
X - X net front guys
X-----X (giroux, Voracek)
----X---- (Central D-man; Streit)
His job is to basically to help movement. With an occasional shot, basically something tipable, and this usually happens after a net front pile up.
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I'm confused because Detroit's powerplay has a better scoring percentage than Philly's... how is Philly's powerplay more deadly than Detroit's? The powerplay is kind of the last thing people should be concerned with at this moment in Detroit.
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Hes pointing out that we play a similar style and therefore people pushing for Smith to be on the PP are barking up the wrong tree.
Mount Suribachi
Registered User
Was that at the start of the season though when that PP wasn't working? Now its been on a roll for 2 months, people are seeing how its working, and that it does work. I think most people (even Smith fans) would acknowledge that under our current system that single D man needs to be firstly, defensively responsible, and secondly a good puck mover. Since Smith's strength is jumping into the play, I think most people realise that he is not the right man for the job.
I don't see jumping into the play as a strength for Smith. He gets caught pinching more than he actually creates offense. Maybe you can blame it on his usage and development over the past couple years, but the fact is that he's not a very good player right now. He's not producing and he's not good enough to play a top 4 role consistently. He's capsized at this point in time. Trade him while there's still some value. Use him go get a RH or true offensive blueliner.
Henkka
Registered User
Hey guys, I couldn't find a roster thread to ask this question in so I figured I'd use this one. Would you say Smith has been this season's scapegoat? If not, who would it be?
Lil Sebastian Cossa
Opinions are share are my own personal opinions.
- Jul 6, 2012
- 11,436
- 7,448
We are solidly in the playoffs at the moment with a defense that we know needs a ton of help. Why do we need to have a scapegoat? Also everyone was clamoring for Smith to play more. If he were scapegoated... We'd want to see less of him.
I wasn't saying it right from the first game because I hadn't seen the PP but it wasn't long after that I recognized the value of Deykeyser over Smith in the role. I have also been suggesting that this system is an effort to overcome the lack of a top 5 RHD and it is working. They are playing to their strengths. I think they will be tough in the playoffs.
A scapegoat is someone to blame when you fail. This team isn't a failure. Why do we need a scapegoat?
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A team can always be better though. The scapegoat is usually the guy that most often prevents them from being better.
Kronwalled55
Detroit vs. Everybody
I agree but I don't think the Wings have that guy. I think you concentrate on the day to day play of your personnel. You can't just waive every roster player that struggles. You try to put them in a position to succeed. Like not playing Smith on the PP for instance. I don't think the Wings have any guys that are actually holding them back from getting better. They have some guys that need to improve for sure but most of them are young and progressing. I don't see a need for a scapegoat.
The team? It is worth noting that the "team" ranks among the lowest in losses. I would think you would talk more about who has made that possible instead of who the "scapegoat" is.
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Henkka
Registered User
Ericsson's done a decent job of being worthy of scapegoating. But pretty much everyone else has played mostly great.
And Smith could do really well in that second area that sits along the half wall and facilitates in breaking down the PK coverage. He also has the speed and training to have a better feel for when to drift back to the blueline to cover against the PK going the other way with it or to give the guy on the blueline a better out.
Not that it really matters. He's got to produce more at ES first. But while the numbers haven't been there this year, I don't think his play is all that far off of last year. Maybe this year is just a bump in the road, or maybe last year's numbers were a bit of a mirage.
Mount Suribachi
Registered User
Kindl.
HM's: Ericsson, Lashoff, Howard*, Franzen.
4/5 defencemen/goalies on one of the strongest defensive teams in the league. The ironic life of following the Wings.
* If we've just lost in a SO, then he gets promoted Scapegoat-in-chief.
Classicnamesup
MVP Backhand Slapper
Actually I think Howard is the goat if there is one. He has been terrific this year but he has tossed a ton of points in the trash in the shootout
