Quote:
Originally Posted by Goodlad
Or perhaps you could do a better job of defending your position by presenting said stats.
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Gee, I didn't realize that it was my job to do the research for people who claim my stance to be "ridiculous" without presenting any facts. I didn't attack any posters. For someone to deem my opinion "ridiculous", I would expect they would first bring some facts to the table. But I don't mind bringing some facts to the table, as it's not particularly hard.
Behind the net has some insight on his CORSI ratings, which has Smid as being ranked below his line mates in puck possession last season, on a soft Oilers team. That doesn't speak volumes to me that he is an essential part of a defense core.
http://www.behindthenet.ca/nhl_stati...4+45+46+63+67#
Further, puckprospectus ranked Smid as being a replacement level defensemen last season, and an average third pairing defensemen the season before. He was projected around that level this season despite his poor ranking in 2013.
This opinion I did not realize to be so controversial. There's a reason that the Oilers had little issue parting with Smid to a division rival for a paltry return. He has a myriad of holes in his game. He's got uses, but if not used correctly, he can certainly be overexposed.
In my humble opinion, I feel that he often gets overrated from the scouts watching him, as he often doesn't have the toughest assignments. He can often be seen playing mistake free hockey against less offensively talented players, but I think a more watchful eye would notice the lack of ability to funnel offense simultaneously, and his participating against non elite forwards. I think he's worth his contract, and being used appropriately by the Flames. I have no problem with the trade. But at the same time, I think it's appropriate not to ignore some pretty clear flaws in his game that some of the advanced stats highlight pretty clearly.
Again, he's on a relatively cheap contract, and was acquired from a division rival for some medicore prospects. If he's as valuable as you guys are claiming, teams around the NHL would have been lining up for his services. Almost every team is looking to add another quality defensemen, it just doesn't appear to me that Smid had the qualities that teams are looking for (puck moving ability, and ability to play a strong two way game against top 6 forwards).