There are too many young players that will be on our team long term that should be playing those minutes instead of waiting for Smyth to retire.
Hall, Eberle, PRV, Hartikainen, Hemsky, arguably Jones should be ahead of Smyth on the depth chart moving forward. If we move Jones in the off-season, or PRV and/or Hartikainen take a step backwards in training camp, I'd be happy with Smyth as a 3rd liner playing 14 minutes a game, spotting in the top 6 with injuries.
I honestly didn't even care that much whether he came back this year or not. I mean it's a nice "happy ending" story and all... but I figured Ryan was on a pretty hard downward arc before the year began and other than a solid start (ie Khabbi and several other players as well)... he's shown that he doesn't have a whole lot left in the tank.
I would rather have a younger player with some developing skills playing in the top 9. Smytty brings some "leadership" and intangibles to the ice and the locker room but honestly the negative on-ice performances balances that out and I'd rather they went with a better vet or simply bring up other options within the organization.
My guess is he'll likely be back on a 1 year at a much reduced salary and he'll hopefully be used in a more limited role (hopefully).
No. Not at the expense of MPS or Hartikainen. Its time one or both of those guys come up to the bigs next year and start molding with the rest of the core, young group.
Smitty was literally useless for the entire bacl half of the season aside from ever so brief glimpses. I love the guy and always will, he was a great Oiler, it was a nice story bringing him back this season (while it lasted), but its time to close the book on this.
smyth can take faceoffs, screen the goalie, play the body, dig in the corners, tip the puck on deflections, play behind the net, has valuable playoff experience, can score 20 goals, train the new kids, provide leadership, boost fan support, bleed orange and blue. you want to throw all of this away for one trick PRV mr drive to the net and loose the puck? no way. Def keep smytty
No. Not at the expense of MPS or Hartikainen. Its time one or both of those guys come up to the bigs next year and start molding with the rest of the core, young group.
Smitty was literally useless for the entire bacl half of the season aside from ever so brief glimpses. I love the guy and always will, he was a great Oiler, it was a nice story bringing him back this season (while it lasted), but its time to close the book on this.
That's my personal opinion anyways.
Exactly, its not that Smyth would be completely useless as a third liner its just that he is getting in the way of players that will actually be here when we are ready for a cup run. Not only MPS and Harti, but a possible free agent signing like David Jones.
Smytty is not a good fit on this team imo.
to replace hall harti prv eager? seems like a fine set of LWs.
IMO you have to make a choice between Smyth and Jones this off season. The Oil can't/don't need both on this team. I think there is going to be significant turnover in the forward group again this summer. Jones, Eager, Belanger, Gagner and Hordi all get moved or I think. Eager is a guy I would like to see back, because I just don't think Renney knew how to use him properly. I think he got frusturated early in the season with injuries and lack of a role.
XXX RNH Eberle
Hall XXX Hemsky
Smyth Horc XXX
Harski Lander PRV (my hope is they let a line like this grow together and develope chemstry 10-14 min a night)
Petrell(resigned)
Is how I see it shaping up right now unless amnesty actually happens then Horcoff may also be a player leaving as well.
smyth can take faceoffs, screen the goalie, play the body, dig in the corners, tip the puck on deflections, play behind the net, has valuable playoff experience, can score 20 goals, train the new kids, provide leadership, boost fan support, bleed orange and blue. you want to throw all of this away for one trick PRV mr drive to the net and loose the puck? no way. Def keep smytty
Having you been watching the past...I dunno...30 games? Probably not.
to replace hall harti prv eager? seems like a fine set of LWs.
there's no guarantee that PRV will even make this team next year....Eager could still be traded, he didn't have a great season....and there's no guarantee that Harti will be on the opening day roster either, these 3 are hardly locks for LW...by hook or by crook, the Oilers will resign Smyth me thinks.
