Smith hasn't hit the scoresheet in weeks. He needs to sit a game and we have the forwards to do it.
He scored a goal last Thursday against the Canes actually. IMO he deserves to play over Spaling. Smith stats are better with less playing time and Smith is twice as talented as Spaling if you watch the games i am sure you understand that fact.
Spaling has really improved this year though and is nice depth
Did Tootoo get suspended? I missed the last game and heard he pushed a zebra???? What happened?
It was more like he pushed him back. It wasn't inadvertent, but it wasn't "abusing" the official, either. Sort of. I think we got lucky for a change. Toots probably should have sat a couple of games. Maybe it'll get his head back on straight at least.
Did Tootoo get suspended? I missed the last game and heard he pushed a zebra???? What happened?
Nothing came out of it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by WartracePred
Didn't he score in AKs first game?? Then the speculation was that even though he notched one, he'd be the odd man out.
Forgot about that one ... one goal between 1 Feb and today, one assist in that span .... five weeks, 1g, 1a. 3 goals, 2assists in Jan ... only one goal at ES. A lot of hustle, good puck skills, very little to show for it over the past 2+ months.
Forgot about that one ... one goal between 1 Feb and today, one assist in that span .... five weeks, 1g, 1a. 3 goals, 2assists in Jan ... only one goal at ES. A lot of hustle, good puck skills, very little to show for it over the past 2+ months.
I see what you are saying however not many on lines 3 and 4 have done anything any better. He makes plays and like i have said before if he scored everytime he hit the post this year he would be close to having the most goals on the team. That is pretty damn good for his ice time and the lines he playes on. I would like to see the kid get as much experiance as possible and come into his own in the playoffs. No reason for him to sit the bench.
Forgot about that one ... one goal between 1 Feb and today, one assist in that span .... five weeks, 1g, 1a. 3 goals, 2assists in Jan ... only one goal at ES. A lot of hustle, good puck skills, very little to show for it over the past 2+ months.
But at least he's got the hustle and skills. I agree that Spaling should sit. He's not lighting up the scoresheet either and is less skilled.
The Pihlstrom principle ..... just because he shot a lot and was moving all over the place didn't mean he was scoring. 53GP, 88SOG, 2g
Smith has a lot of potential, a lot of skill, but he's been unproductive since December ... mid-November actually. 7g in his first five weeks, 5g since. Right now we have the luxury of enough healthy forwards that we can afford to sit a guy for a game or two when they go cold and start pressing.
Spaling has more goals since 1 Feb ... more goals since 1 Jan ... and wins faceoffs.
Spaling plays more minutes and get's more chances than Smith on faceoffs. Smith +/-ratio is better and Smith has more shots on goal a game. Spaling has been in the NHL and AHL since 08 and has never scored as many goals in a season as Smith has scored already this year. This is Smith first year at the NHL/AHL level.
Not dogging Spaling because i like his improvement this year just food for thought when people want to sit Smith.
Hopefully the crowd won't suck tonight with this awesome weather.
One thing I love about the arena/city setup. With Broadway closed off for game night, I would think the weather actually brings out the fans. Great walkin-round weather for pre and post games.
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