If the Predators decide to send Smith down to the AHL (post-All Star weekend), then Yip can take his spot for a while. (Note, any such move would definitely be intended to be only as long as it would take to rebuild Smith's confidence and/or mojo.)
To me, though, it makes the most sense as a depth move to allow the most flexibility as the League approaches the trade deadline.
It doesn't really replace Smithson though, as he's not really adequate defensively. He's another "has to be in the top six to succeed" guy according to Avs fans, but isn't good enough to justify such icetime.
I disagree with this as an Avs fan. He's not a great skater and is not a shutdown guy. He seems to be an ok option for a 4th line energy guy. He showed flashes of some scoring ability, but not sure what happened, but it's not there anymore.
Or the Preds could be packaging a couple of the bottom 6 guys for a big defenseman. Smithson hasn't been as good as he has been defensively. I see this and I think to myself of the quote about Poile having a phenomenal expansion draft and being told when he gets rid of these guys he will have a hell of a team.
Well, it's not because Smithson is out for longer than expected...
Quote:
Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club claimed forward Brandon Yip on waivers from the Colorado Avalanche and activated forward Jerred Smithson from injured reserve.
Poile finally realized that maybe the Preds are better served with a little depth to cover illness and injury and the ability to ice 12 hockey players at forward on any given night.
I disagree with this as an Avs fan. He's not a great skater and is not a shutdown guy. He seems to be an ok option for a 4th line energy guy. He showed flashes of some scoring ability, but not sure what happened, but it's not there anymore.
I was about to chime in here. I'm a big Yip fanboy (because he's Asian and also went to BU), but he has two NHL-level attributes: (1) booming shot and (2) can deliver hits. That said, everything else about his game sucks. He can barely skate, his passing is terrible, and his hockey sense is lacking.
He did play a year with Colin Wilson, so maybe they can rekindle something, even if they never played on the same EV line together, they did get a little PP time together.
unless there is a bigger move coming, I totally don't get this. Furthermore sending smith down would be a mistake of epic levels. I guess time will tell.
Sounds like a zero-risk move to see if a change of scenery helps the guy rekindle some scoring ability. If not, he'll go back on waivers and the team will look elsewhere. I don't have any problem with it, but I hope it isn't the only iron in the fire.
I tend to agree that a move must be coming...it just has to.
otherwise, I guess Poile is just taking a shot in the dark a la Bergfors? Except Yip doesn't have the talent IMO, guess we'll see.
That said, I don't think Yip could be worse offensively than Smithson. All 4 lines already play pretty good D, so maybe Poile was trying to upgrade Smithson's offensive game a little, even if it costs a little D. Who knows?
I honestly don't understand this move. I'm not bashing it I just don't get it. I mean it's a low risk move. At worst he's good depth when injuries inevitably come but it's hard to see a place for him in the line up unless Smith goes down. It will be interesting to see what happens.
If you pick up enough guys, you will find a diamond in the rough. Detroit is always finding some unsigned or unknown guy. They frequently work out for them.
Zetterberg was selected by the Detroit Red Wings 210th overall in the seventh round of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. How many 7th rounders have careers like his?
Watching Brule play for the Coyotes tonight and he looks pretty good. Wonder if we claimed the wrong guy?
Word is the Preds put in a claim, but Yotes were ahead in the order.
Quote:
Originally Posted by predfan24
I honestly don't understand this move. I'm not bashing it I just don't get it. I mean it's a low risk move. At worst he's good depth when injuries inevitably come but it's hard to see a place for him in the line up unless Smith goes down. It will be interesting to see what happens.
Well a Yip-Smith-Hali line looks better than a McGrattan/Smithson-Smith-Hali atleast. I'll wait awhile before bashing this move. Could be part of a bigger plan. Here's hoping.
Well a Yip-Smith-Hali line looks better than a McGrattan/Smithson-Smith-Hali atleast. I'll wait awhile before bashing this move. Could be part of a bigger plan. Here's hoping.
That's probably the best 4th line I've seen in a while. Allows us to spread the icetime a little more evenly than it already is to keep guys well rested. I wouldn't mind seeing how the team performs without Smithson. I just don't see him being that impactful these days other than winning the odd key faceoff. Black hole for offense.
Moves like this are so frustrating, not from a standpoint of wondering if it's a good more or not, but the anticipation that ensues while we're waiting for the next domino to fall.
Word is the Preds put in a claim, but Yotes were ahead in the order.
Well a Yip-Smith-Hali line looks better than a McGrattan/Smithson-Smith-Hali atleast. I'll wait awhile before bashing this move. Could be part of a bigger plan. Here's hoping.
I know some fans would like to see Smithson scratched now that move has happened. But everybody should be honest with theirselves. As long as Smithson is healthy Trotz will put him in the line up. So that still leaves an extra forward. I only see a few possibilities for rational for this move.
A. It's simply a depth move. Now two forwards could go down and we would have adequate replacements for them in the short term.
B. Management is getting ready to send Smith down to boost his confidence
C. Poile wanted to pick up a solid bottom six guy because he seriously thought one or some of Halischuck, Bourque, Hornqvist, SK could be traded soon.
