Where he's from has nothing to do with it, whether you believe that or not. It's a question of whether you play talent. People can marginalize A. Smith's future all they want -- he's still one of the most flat-out talented players in the system.
Where he's from has nothing to do with it, whether you believe that or not. It's a question of whether you play talent. People can marginalize A. Smith's future all they want -- he's still one of the most flat-out talented players in the system.
That's the issue then. I don't agree with that statement at all. He's 24 years old and dominated a lesser college conference. He has significantly more to prove than nearly every other Dallas prospect playing in Texas/Idaho this year.
For being 2-3 years older than most of his competition, I've never really been impressed by A. Smith to be honest. Maybe you all are seeing something I'm not, but that's my take.
You can bring up age and strength of competition all you want, but they have nothing to do with the issue. No one is saying that A. Smith is likely to become some great NHLer, or even an NHLer. All I'm saying is that he has skill, skill that's worth the apparently incredible inconvenience of finding him some playing time in the AHL.
You can bring up age and strength of competition all you want, but they have nothing to do with the issue. No one is saying that A. Smith is likely to become some great NHLer, or even an NHLer. All I'm saying is that he has skill, skill that's worth the apparently incredible inconvenience of finding him some playing time in the AHL.
I'll have to side with BigG on this one. Just don't see a spot in the top 9 in CP for him (especially if Glennie sticks and once Sceviour's back).
I'll have to side with BigG on this one. Just don't see a spot in the top 9 in CP for him (especially if Glennie sticks and once Sceviour's back).
Piqued and others feel though that prior to Glennie and Sceviour coming back he could have been in over Vause, Roussel, and Hedden.
That's where I think the major divide is. It seems to come down to whether you play the best players (people who earned ice time) or play your prospects, and I don't have an issue with players being forced to earn their role. I also trust 100 degree hockey when he mentioned that A. Smith just wasn't as good as some other players in the pre-season ... which to me does matter.
I get people's frustration with Morin, Petersen, and Wathier in the mix since they clearly aren't being signed for development reasons. They are veteran leadership. It's clearly Dallas' philosophy to go with the prospect/veteran mix so you're just banging your head against the wall if you are bemoaning that move by Dallas/Texas. Every AHL team looks for that type of balance.
That's where I think the major divide is. It seems to come down to whether you play the best players (people who earned ice time) or play your prospects, and I don't have an issue with players being forced to earn their role.
And I believe this is a mischaracterization. You're just deeming those players to be the "best" and to have "earned" icetime. I disagree.
You can call it banging my head into the wall or whatever, but if I disagree with what they're doing I'm going to say so. If it were up to me, Sceviour, Morin, and Fortunus would be the only veterans on the team at all. Maybe Wathier.
And I believe this is a mischaracterization. You're just deeming those players to be the "best" and to have "earned" icetime. I disagree.
You can call it banging my head into the wall or whatever, but if I disagree with what they're doing I'm going to say so. If it were up to me, Sceviour, Morin, and Fortunus would be the only veterans on the team at all. Maybe Wathier.
The problem is that the team is still a business and would like to make a profit. Winning games and making the playoffs is a huge part in attracting fans/advertisers and in turn making a profit. To do that you need veteran players and grinders. Add in the fact that the lockout has resulted in players staying in the AHL instead of graduating to the NHL and suddenly the roster is very crowded. Without the lockout Vincour, Eakin, Dillon, Petersen, and likely one of Chiasson/R Smith/Fraser are in the NHL.
If A. Smith is going to have any chance at adapting his scoring ability to the pro game he needs playing time. He needs top 6 minutes. Unfortunately due to the lockout he's stuck behind Chiasson, R. Smith, Fraser, and Vincour. Why not send him to the ECHL (which will have a higher level of competition this season due to the lockout) for increased playing time and see if he can get his scoring touch going at the pro level?
If A. Smith is going to have any chance at adapting his scoring ability to the pro game he needs playing time. He needs top 6 minutes. Unfortunately due to the lockout he's stuck behind Chiasson, R. Smith, Fraser, and Vincour. Why not send him to the ECHL (which will have a higher level of competition this season due to the lockout) for increased playing time and see if he can get his scoring touch going at the pro level?
They were waiting to see how Vause and Roussel would do? Didn't want to send anyone else to Idaho until Glennie was ready just in case someone got hurt?
