Quote:
Originally Posted by GranteedEV
FWIW I believe Smith will struggle with the lower shot totals. I am always skeptical of goalies who see the puck regularily and thrive in that. Last year Elliott faced 28.2 shots a game, and I expect Smith to face even less if we replace Bart-Engo with Kulak-Stone. Not everyone can handle a Jonathan Quick type reduced workload from a mental perspective.
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Maybe. Although I don't believe there is any good evidence to suggest that this might occur. On the contrary, if we factor Smith's annual save percentage against his shots faced relative to minutes played over the past six seasons, there doesn't seem to be any correlation.
From top to bottom according to shots against/min:
2016–17 0.568 SA/min, 0.914 SP (55 starts)
2014–15 0.550, 0.904 (61 starts)
2011–12 0.529, 0.930 (67 starts)
2015–16 0.525, 0.916 (32 starts)
2013–14 0.518, 0.915 (61 starts)
2012–13 0.480, 0.910 (34 starts)