Terrible idea.
Giving Lupul Smyths ice time might just spiral him so far down the vortex we may never see him again. Besides the fact that Lupul plays RW (Hemsky would have to play off wing) he would get killed playing the tough minutes that Smyth plays....-100 may actually be within reach for Lupul if that were to happen for an entire season. The reality is that this team doesn't have another LW (with the possible exception of Pisani) that could replace Smyth on the 1st line.
This team needs Smyth and what he brings to the table...more now than at any other time IMO.
If Howson can wrap up Smyth on a long term deal for under 5M/season, I'll be ecstatic.
Welcome to the boards BTW.
Thanks for the welcome. I thought this would get a rise out of some.
First off, I would also be estatic geting Smyth under contract for sub 5M. My agrument was geared towards those claiming money should be no object.
It's undeniable that Lupul at this point is a significant step down from Smyth, particularly in his defensive game. Smyth is very valuable to this team, but you didn't address the defense that would likely accompany a 5+ M Smyth roster.
It's about tradoffs, and while our forwards would clealy suffer from the loss of Smyth, if we pay him say 5.5-6 M that some have suggested, the other shoe has to drop and would likely result in a defense mirroring this years with 1 year's maturation.
And to your Lupul comment, he clearly has been a whipping boy for a lot of fans. HE HAS STRUGGLED, but he is also young and trying to fit in with a new team. Added to that he has yet find a permanent spot in the line (somehat to his own fault, but not entirely), nor has ne playe dwith Hemsky. It has been stated numerous times, by Mac T and Lupul, that he can play either wing also.
As much as I love Smyth, does anyone believe he is worth $5 million a year?
Yup. Elias got $6. Arnott got $4.5. Tanguay got more than $5 as an RFA. Erik Cole got $4 as an RFA.
The way the market is right now, the top tier franchise guys in their prime get around 7. The level right below, the star first line forwards, they get around 5. That's where Smyth is at. Drury, Briere, and Gomez are all gonna be looking at that when they sign their next contracts - heck, it's the price set by the Arbitrator for the latter two and while we often are surprised by the numbers those guys come up with, they don't just pull them out of the air.
So anything less than $5 a year for Smyth, unfortunately, that's a bargain.
Thanks for the welcome. I thought this would get a rise out of some.
First off, I would also be estatic geting Smyth under contract for sub 5M. My agrument was geared towards those claiming money should be no object.
It's undeniable that Lupul at this point is a significant step down from Smyth, particularly in his defensive game. Smyth is very valuable to this team, but you didn't address the defense that would likely accompany a 5+ M Smyth roster.
It's about tradoffs, and while our forwards would clealy suffer from the loss of Smyth, if we pay him say 5.5-6 M that some have suggested, the other shoe has to drop and would likely result in a defense mirroring this years with 1 year's maturation.
And to your Lupul comment, he clearly has been a whipping boy for a lot of fans. HE HAS STRUGGLED, but he is also young and trying to fit in with a new team. Added to that he has yet find a permanent spot in the line (somehat to his own fault, but not entirely), nor has ne playe dwith Hemsky. It has been stated numerous times, by Mac T and Lupul, that he can play either wing also.
I may have overstated my position on Lupul...I think he will be an effective player in time. I have made the point before that Lupul has clearly lost his game this year. Having said that by putting him on the 1st line MacT would putting Lupul in a position to fail....not succeed. IMO he needs butter soft minutes to get his game back on track and thats exactly what MacT is doing. It's up to Lupul to make the most of it and to his credit he looks like he is coming around a little.
He still has a long ways to go, but if nothing else, this season will be a very good test of his resilience.
one question I have about Smyth is this. He is actually slightly over a point per game clip right now. by all accounts, a career season is what it looks like. it just happens to be his contract year. no you think he is turning it up to make sure he gets his money and terms or is this just basically Ryan Smyth in his prime and should be status quo for a few more seasons.
I mean, he is THE man now on the team. Getting big minutes, crucial situations and plays with talented players like Hemsky and Horcoff so it's conceivable he can be this kind of player for the next couple seasons right?
$5MM for Smyth for 5 years sounds fine to me. I don't think he's worth much more, and an even lower number would be nice, but I think it's something both sides should be happy with.
one question I have about Smyth is this. He is actually slightly over a point per game clip right now. by all accounts, a career season is what it looks like. it just happens to be his contract year. no you think he is turning it up to make sure he gets his money and terms or is this just basically Ryan Smyth in his prime and should be status quo for a few more seasons.
I mean, he is THE man now on the team. Getting big minutes, crucial situations and plays with talented players like Hemsky and Horcoff so it's conceivable he can be this kind of player for the next couple seasons right?
He didn't do too bad last year with 36 goals in 75 games.
one question I have about Smyth is this. He is actually slightly over a point per game clip right now. by all accounts, a career season is what it looks like. it just happens to be his contract year. no you think he is turning it up to make sure he gets his money and terms or is this just basically Ryan Smyth in his prime and should be status quo for a few more seasons.
I mean, he is THE man now on the team. Getting big minutes, crucial situations and plays with talented players like Hemsky and Horcoff so it's conceivable he can be this kind of player for the next couple seasons right?
I don't think Ryan Smyth *can* turn it up. I think he pretty much goes full bore all the time - Game 34 regular season, Game 7 playoffs.
But I think he's way more effective (and valuable) now that the new rules let him park in front of the net without getting his ass kicked.
He is the franchise, he has taken hometown discounts and at 4.5 he would almost be doing it again. He is having a career year but I think the new game suits Smyth's game more, he can get some work done at the office without interuptions and he has some more room to free wheel out there. He is a pretty tricky guy when he has the puck in open space and I think because of his work ethic he will be good for years to come.
