That's kinda just how he's always played so I'm used to it I guess. I'm just glad that the things that make him successful, he can still do at this level. Like he's been getting better at holding the puck and seeing the lanes at this levelI'm not opposed to seeing him play in the NHL, since we're bound to suck anyways and he can learn. I just didn't like how he kept hanging out by the blueline waiting for his teammates to get him the puck. Then on the PP he basically parked himself in Ovechkin's office. He made some nice passes, but clearly he and his teammates weren't on the same wavelength.
I just find it funny that the same people who were all over me for saying I'd be happy with a 40 point season from Smith are also the ones that 1) never watched Smith in the NCAA and 2) now think he's not NHL-ready.Smith isn't the second coming. He's also 19. This is his D+2 season and he'll be in the NHL.
Just one example, but Logan Couture has had a pretty good career as a 9OA pick in 2007.
D+1, he was back on the 67's in the OHL.
D+2, he played the full season in the OHL and then played 4 AHL games at the end.
D+3, he played 42 games in AHL and 25 games in NHL.
D+4 he scored 56 in 79.
Hertl played his D+2 with the Sharks for 37 games (scoring 25) and was definitely not the 2nd line center. And his D+3 was 82 games, 31 points.
Patty scored 32 in 74 in NHL in his D+1, then 45 and 40 in 81 games each of his next two years. Not lighting the world on fire and as far as I recall, was not our 2nd line center either.
Jumbo famously had 7 points in 55 in his D+1 and 41 in 81 in his D+2.
Yes, yes, different scoring eras etc., but the point here is patience.
Whatever you say, it will offend someone.I just find it funny that the same people who were all over me for saying I'd be happy with a 40 point season from Smith are also the ones that 1) never watched Smith in the NCAA and 2) now think he's not NHL-ready.
First I'm underrating Smith, now I'm overrating Smith. Pick a lane.
Your Tomas Hertl example is a great one. He scored 30 points in the NHL as a 21 year old center and went on to become a legit #1C. Will Smith is 19.
I don't really care if I offend anyone (especially since I haven't said anything offensive), I'm just sick of people making definitive statements like "Will Smith isn't NHL-ready" or "Will Smith is a winger" based on a couple pre-season games. Will Smith has played on exclusively wagon teams for the last two years. Suddenly being dropped onto a brutally bad NHL team in a prominent role means adjustment. Obviously he isn't going to look his best while he adjusts to the NHL, so judging him based off these games exclusively (which people who did not watch Will Smith all last season as some of us did are doing) is just stupid.Whatever you say, it will offend someone.
My biggest gripe is his involvement, or lack thereof. Agreed that he's got the ability to make sneaky good defensive plays, but he needs to be involved in the play to do it. Just trying to cherry pick and constantly wind up for slapshots doesn't much help the team. Ah well. I still like the player and his upside.That's kinda just how he's always played so I'm used to it I guess. I'm just glad that the things that make him successful, he can still do at this level. Like he's been getting better at holding the puck and seeing the lanes at this level
And the off puck thing you're talking about, he's significantly better than where he was a year ago. He's also just kinda sneaky with his defense stuff like his puck skills are so good that there's a lot of times where he can intercept a pass or pick up a shitty breakout and get it going.
He definitely will not be killing plays with pace though and that's gonna be the main thing to work on. Like just getting on a guy and taking the body or harassing them for the puck.
He needs to be challenged and pushed and he needs guys who can do something with the puck. If he spent some amount of time in the AHL to do that, I imagine he'd grow there too, but who is he blocking for ice time here that's so important that we see? Unless he needs to go down to regain confidence, just play him and live with the results.It’s a season for development and as such I’m alright with Smith playing in the NHL even if he isn’t ready and I don’t think he is but he’s not far off. For his age, he’s in a perfectly acceptable position. For a 2C he will be inadequate but he needs the experience to grow into it. I just want them to do that for three rookie forwards and not just two if we’re not doing an Eklund line independent of the rookie centers.
The Eklund line independent of the rookie centers at least gives you the opportunity to shelter Smith to an extent but if we’re developing and not competing then it’s whatever but if we’re instilling a competitive culture, he’ll need to be demoted when he deserves it.He needs to be challenged and pushed and he needs guys who can do something with the puck. If he spent some amount of time in the AHL to do that, I imagine he'd grow there to, but who is he blocking for ice time here that's so important that we see. Unless he needs to go down to regain confidence, just play him and live with the results.
He was frustrating last year to watch at times, because he could find himself outside the play while his linemates did a lot of grunt work. Especially early on. That said, he also often turns nothing to something, and can create chances very quickly that make his linemates look good. And he absolutely got better as the season went on, but he's definitely developing a play style that will be under fire at times for "disappearing."My biggest gripe is his involvement, or lack thereof. Agreed that he's got the ability to make sneaky good defensive plays, but he needs to be involved in the play to do it. Just trying to cherry pick and constantly wind up for slapshots doesn't much help the team. Ah well. I still like the player and his upside.
5 more top 5 picks would actually be depressingHe was frustrating last year to watch at times, because he could find himself outside the play while his linemates did a lot of grunt work. Especially early on. That said, he also often turns nothing to something, and can create chances very quickly that make his linemates look good. And he absolutely got better as the season went on, but he's definitely developing a play style that will be under fire at times for "disappearing."
He has a sneaky good shot and is an underrated finisher. And he has a very high hockey IQ, so you can literally see him learning from game to game. I'm not worried about him. I'm also not expecting him to be Patrick Kane, no matter how many breathless preseason articles said it. He will almost certainly look better at the end of the year than he does at the beginning of the year, barring injury, and there will be flashes that make us all excited. He'll probably get hurt and scratched and demoted to the third line as well.
We've got a great start at a rebuild but we're still 2-5 top 5 picks and many years of existing pipeline development (and prospect failure) away from a really contending team. It just takes a lot of time.
Yeah, but look at the Lightning, Avs, and Oilers rebuilds. And where the Habs have been picking for years - just outside.5 more top 5 picks would actually be depressing
but mostly agree about Smith. he kinda doesn't look the part but he just makes it happen. i think he can develop in the NHL without building bad habits.
5 more top 5 picks would essentially mean that Celebrini, Smith, and Dickinson end up busting which is sad in many ways. i don't expect rebuild rd 1 to fail like the oilers and avs ones failed.Yeah, but look at the Lightning, Avs, and Oilers rebuilds. And where the Habs have been picking for years - just outside.
At least 1-2 more is absolutely my expectation. 5 top 5 picks probably means we had a low hit rate for our prospects, and yes, this would be brutal.
Fair take! I trust you've seen more of him than me. I sure as hell hope 5 more top picks isn't what we need. The rebuild would be a massive failure if it takes that long.He was frustrating last year to watch at times, because he could find himself outside the play while his linemates did a lot of grunt work. Especially early on. That said, he also often turns nothing to something, and can create chances very quickly that make his linemates look good. And he absolutely got better as the season went on, but he's definitely developing a play style that will be under fire at times for "disappearing."
He has a sneaky good shot and is an underrated finisher. And he has a very high hockey IQ, so you can literally see him learning from game to game. I'm not worried about him. I'm also not expecting him to be Patrick Kane, no matter how many breathless preseason articles said it. He will almost certainly look better at the end of the year than he does at the beginning of the year, barring injury, and there will be flashes that make us all excited. He'll probably get hurt and scratched and demoted to the third line as well.
We've got a great start at a rebuild but we're still 2-5 top 5 picks and many years of existing pipeline development (and prospect failure) away from a really contending team. It just takes a lot of time.
The problem with sheltering Smith is that it puts him with guys who can’t finish or read his passes at a high level. His playmaking and offensive hockey IQ are already high level for the NHL. If you put him with Kunin’s or Goodrow’s then he will not develop.The Eklund line independent of the rookie centers at least gives you the opportunity to shelter Smith to an extent but if we’re developing and not competing then it’s whatever but if we’re instilling a competitive culture, he’ll need to be demoted when he deserves it.
Part of developing for someone like Smith is learning how to play in the NHL with unskilled players. In his rookie year, he can play with literally anyone and develop to a degree.The problem with sheltering Smith is that it puts him with guys who can’t finish or read his passes at a high level. His playmaking and offensive hockey IQ are already high level for the NHL. If you put him with Kunin’s or Goodrow’s then he will not develop.
I think Smith is one of those players that would struggle more in the AHL than the NHL because he is a facilitator. It’s like having John Stockton with a much of guys who can’t shoot or finish.
Smith needs to play with skilled players.