In todays nhl which is dominated by speed physicality has become over rated I would prefer puck moving bottom pairing guys like smith to overly physical (usually slow) defensive defense men. Its just my opinion but I think speed on the back is something we have lacked and I love how smith plays I like the deal.
A great signing. I like the length of the deal where we are simply testing the waters with Smith a little longer, hoping he grows into a top 4 defensemen. A very cheap price from what we've seen from Smith already. I think he could've gotten a million plus in the free market.
A great signing. I like the length of the deal where we are simply testing the waters with Smith a little longer, hoping he grows into a top 4 defensemen. A very cheap price from what we've seen from Smith already. I think he could've gotten a million plus in the free market.
Agreed, I really like him. He's very well rounded and extremely mobile. He's what Butler should be but isn't.
The Flames defence next year could be really, really soft with Sarich and Hannan likely to leave as FAs.
Nice to have Smith with the team for the next two years, though.
We will have a soft blueline, but I wouldn't really say Hannan is all that physical. Just really solid defensively.
EDIT: Just checked it and Hannan has less hits than Bouwmeester and Butler. Sarich is our only blueliner I'd call physical and Giordano plays with an edge, the rest are pretty soft.
Beyond thrilled with this deal, especially the price tag. Everything we want from a bottom pairing guy and then some. I hope he's back from injury soon.
I wonder if any of our other UFA's to be (specifically Jokinen) get extensions soon.
We will have a soft blueline, but I wouldn't really say Hannan is all that physical. Just really solid defensively.
EDIT: Just checked it and Hannan has less hits than Bouwmeester and Butler. Sarich is our only blueliner I'd call physical and Giordano plays with an edge, the rest are pretty soft.
I'd like to see them add a mean and nasty guy... the problem is that those guys tend to be either all-world, or completely terrible skaters and puck movers.
Beyond thrilled with this deal, especially the price tag. Everything we want from a bottom pairing guy and then some. I hope he's back from injury soon.
I wonder if any of our other UFA's to be (specifically Jokinen) get extensions soon.
I'm glad if anyone was given an extension, it was Smith. Jokinen would garner our best return at the deadline if we fall back to 12th place over the next few games, so that's probably why he has yet to receive an extension
I'd like to see them add a mean and nasty guy... the problem is that those guys tend to be either all-world, or completely terrible skaters and puck movers.
Yeah, to be a total package is few and far between. That's why Shea Weber is a dime a dozen.
I'd like to see them add a mean and nasty guy... the problem is that those guys tend to be either all-world, or completely terrible skaters and puck movers.
I'd just like Backsies on the Regehr/Butler trade. Butler has been freaking terrible for us and Regehr has been terrible for them. Kind of a lose/lose.
I'd just like Backsies on the Regehr/Butler trade. Butler has been freaking terrible for us and Regehr has been terrible for them. Kind of a lose/lose.
I'd love to see them pick up a guy like Johnny Boychuk, but I suspect that if he makes it to July 1st someone's going to severly overpay for him.
I'd love to see them pick up a guy like Johnny Boychuk, but I suspect that if he makes it to July 1st someone's going to severly overpay for him.
Yup, he'd be a nice addition. I just doubt he goes to UFA. Boston will re-sign him. If he does go to ufa I think he gets Sarich money, which is just too much really.
Yup, he'd be a nice addition. I just doubt he goes to UFA. Boston will re-sign him. If he does go to ufa I think he gets Sarich money, which is just too much really.
At least he's still young. If he got 3 mil over 3 years he's still only 31 at the end of it... I agree that he's probably not worth that, but I'd rather overpay a bit then try to play with a d-corps that gets pushed around all of the time.
one of my favourite surprises of the year. Similar to Giordano's return to Flames after KHL. If Smith works hard and keeps improving he will be very important for us.
