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Originally Posted by Sojourn
I think Smith will be better than JKsilverstick seems to be implying, but I also agree with his point on the sample size. 14 games is not just a small sample size. It's hardly a sample size at all. A small sample size is something along the lines of 25-30 games in a row, or something closer to half a season of experience.
I don't think Smith will ever be confused with a #1 defenseman, but I see a lot of offensive potential there, and an edge to his game. If he can improve defensively, I think he could end up as a top pairing guy, but is also more likely to end up as a top 4 type of guy who will be used heavily in offensive situations.
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I don't think he's ever gonna be a #1 either, but that's because my definition is pretty strict on what a #1 is. I don't even consider Green/Yandle/Karlsson to be #1s. He's never gonna be the guy you go to in game 7 of the SCFs during overtime to kill a penalty.
With that said, I find it hard to make a comparison to Smith in the league. Most offensive defenders you find don't have the edge that he does.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sojourn
Very few, I'd imagine, but does that really mean Smith's age shouldn't be considered? Detroit will be bringing him in when many talented defensemen really start to come into their own at the NHL level. That could certainly make the transition easier for him, but does it necessarily make him a better prospect? I actually think his game will transition better at the NHL level than, say, Justin Schultz, but Smith has a lot to prove at the NHL level.
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The way I've looked at it is you jeopardize his development by putting him in the NHL and either sticking him on third pairing minutes or sitting in the press box on half the nights.