Smith was intimidating to play against, as was Hatch. Both were pretty beat up in the playoffs, but still managed to put a fear into our opponents. I don't think we have anyone, right now, who brings that raw edge to the table.
Yeah, Ottawa's a much better team with him back there?????????????
Ottawa's biggest problems are the same ones we would have if we had him. Giveaways and a weakness to move the puck forward. Ask any real ottawa fan and they want a puck moving defenceman before anything else.
Call me crazy but I take Hatcher before Smith. Hatcher was much better on the penalty kill and would keep that crease clear. Slow as mollases but so was smith.
Yeah, Ottawa's a much better team with him back there?????????????
Ottawa's biggest problems are the same ones we would have if we had him. Giveaways and a weakness to move the puck forward. Ask any real ottawa fan and they want a puck moving defenceman before anything else.
Call me crazy but I take Hatcher before Smith. Hatcher was much better on the penalty kill and would keep that crease clear. Slow as mollases but so was smith.
Is Hatcher coming back this season? I haven't really been keeping up with his situation. I think if he and Jones comes back, obviously we can add more dimension to our D.
Is Hatcher coming back this season? I haven't really been keeping up with his situation. I think if he and Jones comes back, obviously we can add more dimension to our D.
If Hatcher comes back during the playoffs he won't count against the salary cap right? I do miss Hatcher a lot more than Smith. Smith couldn't complete a pass to save his life.
If Hatcher comes back during the playoffs he won't count against the salary cap right? I do miss Hatcher a lot more than Smith. Smith couldn't complete a pass to save his life.
Perhaps, but Smith plays within himself much more than Hatcher.
We couldn't have both of those guys back there, but we probably do need ONE of them back there. I was against bringing Smith back under the assumption that Hatcher would be counting against our cap. However, if Hatcher is just going to be on LTIR and the Flyers thought the situation was going to go that route, I think they should have given more consideration to signing Smith on a short deal.
Smith did a lot more good for this team last year than bad.
Perhaps, but Smith plays within himself much more than Hatcher.
We couldn't have both of those guys back there, but we probably do need ONE of them back there. I was against bringing Smith back under the assumption that Hatcher would be counting against our cap. However, if Hatcher is just going to be on LTIR and the Flyers thought the situation was going to go that route, I think they should have given more consideration to signing Smith on a short deal.
Smith did a lot more good for this team last year than bad.
Amen.
I said in the summer, that if it was obvious that Hatcher was gone for good...we should bring back Smith. Sure he had his flaws, but every player has his 'thing'.
last year, opposing forwards would not enter nitty's/biron's crease without paying a dear price. it got to the point against montreal in the playoffs that no canadien player would get near biron because they feared hatch and gator. my sentiment during the offseason upon hearing that gator and hatch would both be leaving was "awesome news... now we're paper soft".
if anybody thinks that ossi vaananen offers any sort of intimidation to opposing players like hatch/gator needs a head check. ...leadership isn't even a question--ossi doesn't have it, whilst hatcher and smith did. hatcher--i thought--was the best leader we've had in the between time of primeau and richards (not a distinguished list but point is still valid).
simply, in a non cap world, i'd love to have retained hatcher or smith, but it wasn't a possibility and upon randy jones and ryan parent getting healthy, we have a core that we can win games with.
last year, opposing forwards would not enter nitty's/biron's crease without paying a dear price. it got to the point against montreal in the playoffs that no canadien player would get near biron because they feared hatch and gator. my sentiment during the offseason upon hearing that gator and hatch would both be leaving was "awesome news... now we're paper soft".
if anybody thinks that ossi vaananen offers any sort of intimidation to opposing players like hatch/gator needs a head check. ...leadership isn't even a question--ossi doesn't have it, whilst hatcher and smith did. hatcher--i thought--was the best leader we've had in the between time of primeau and richards (not a distinguished list but point is still valid).
simply, in a non cap world, i'd love to have retained hatcher or smith, but it wasn't a possibility and upon randy jones and ryan parent getting healthy, we have a core that we can win games with.
you make a valid point. but the problem i have with it is that teams dont need to get near the crease to get past marty. him letting them in from the circle seems commonplace anymore. the addition to him reacting slow on the wraparounds are a new addition to his weakness. but he did show mass improvement against the habs.
If this Shanny thing doesn't work out if it ever does, what other vets would you guys be interested in trying to grab via trade? I too also think we need some vet leadership. Lossing hatch was probably for the better with the D but a loss to the locker room.
Eh, if you mean we need a reliable DMan for our second pairing, absolutely, but as a particular type of player I would pass on the Jason Smith of last year or someone like him.
I would like to see us get someone like Zybnek Michalek, a guy who is developing well in his own zone and is capable of moving the puck.
Breakout passing has been atrocious this year and play in front of the net also lacking. A couple of these games even our top pairing has looked rather flat, let alone the back four.
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Danny Duberstein is good at two things ...
With Ossi we get a better pass, less shot blocking, less leadership , and less "fear factor"...which honestly none of us could accurately determine.
In the end, Smith can only be used as an example, because he simply does not fit the Flyers right now. I think we've done ok with Ossi so far, considering.
Ossi 1,000,000
Smith 2,600,000
To get another "version" of Smith, we would have completely ripoff another team. Even then, I can't think of many off hand who come cheaply cap wise...
