HFBoards - View Single Post - Confirmed with Link: Reilly Smith signed to ELC, assigned to Dallas

BigG44 · 05-15-2012, 01:02 PM

The difference I see between Reilly Smith and Eriksson is experience. I think you can definitely argue against the GM's decision to have him join the NHL rather than the AHL, but I don't have an issue with GMJN not forcing Gully's hand. It was gamble on Joe's part that Smith would be ready and Gully would feel comfortable with him in the lineup. It just didn't work out.

The result is he loses a handful of games playing Top 6 minutes in the AHL. It's not fair to discount that experience because they tout it as being so important for guys like Glennie and Dillon in the past. However, IMO, it was a small gamble that doesn't actually hurt the player or the team.

EDIT: The thing that disappoints me with Gully is that he played it so safe. GMJN is typically the guy playing it safe ... not selling assets ... and Dallas ultimately missing the playoffs. It was a change of pace from JN in this instance to take a risk. I was unfortunate, IMO, that Gully didn't recognize a sinking ship and try something a bit risky.

05-15-2012, 01:02 PM	#204
BigG44 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 14,759 vCash: 500	The difference I see between Reilly Smith and Eriksson is experience. I think you can definitely argue against the GM's decision to have him join the NHL rather than the AHL, but I don't have an issue with GMJN not forcing Gully's hand. It was gamble on Joe's part that Smith would be ready and Gully would feel comfortable with him in the lineup. It just didn't work out. The result is he loses a handful of games playing Top 6 minutes in the AHL. It's not fair to discount that experience because they tout it as being so important for guys like Glennie and Dillon in the past. However, IMO, it was a small gamble that doesn't actually hurt the player or the team. EDIT: The thing that disappoints me with Gully is that he played it so safe. GMJN is typically the guy playing it safe ... not selling assets ... and Dallas ultimately missing the playoffs. It was a change of pace from JN in this instance to take a risk. I was unfortunate, IMO, that Gully didn't recognize a sinking ship and try something a bit risky. Last edited by BigG44: 05-15-2012 at 01:09 PM.