Quote:
Originally Posted by Patrick Bateman
Ridiculous? Smid grades out very poorly in most puck possession stats, and offers basically nothing offensively. If you haven't seen those stats it would make sense to educate yourself before calling my opnion "ridiculous".
He's a role player, spare part, fairly run of the mill 5-6 guy. Definite NHL player, but he's a guy that would get exposed against upper echelon players (like he was when he played on the Oilers). Good penalty killer, but I wouldn't say he really offers one other talent I would describe as "above average".
I mean, the Oilers used Jeff Petry (almost exclusively) to move the puck out of the zone when they played together. Not sure if you have seen Petry play, but he isn't exactly Doughty or Keith at moving the puck.
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That's twice now you trot out the "Oilers didn't value him so he must suck" line. Actually if the Oilers thought Smid was expendable, that probably means he's a really good defensive player. However that team assesses defensive ability, the opposite is usually true.
Puck possession stats (none of which you provide in particular) help explain what is seen on the ice. It doesn't make your opinion objectively right however.
Smid is being paid like a No. 4 defenseman who is a shut down guy with toughness but doesn't provide offense. Which is exactly what he is. Is it a coincidence that the Flames have been a much better defensive team since that trade?