Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Is Mike Smith the new Brian Elliot and is James Neal the new Troy Brouwer?

SuperMatt18 · 11-02-2018, 10:10 AM

I do wonder if some of it has to be the equipment changes.

Smith was vocal that he didn't think the changes were safe and that he was getting bruised by the shots.

Almost looks like he may have let it get to his head. He's not getting set positionally and letting the puck hit him in the body this year, feels like he's try to rely on his athleticism to react to the shot to try to get a blocker, glove, or pad on it - so places where he has more padding.

So I do wonder if a lot of it is mentally from that.

11-02-2018, 10:10 AM	#131
SuperMatt18 Franchise Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Calgary, AB Exp:	I do wonder if some of it has to be the equipment changes. Smith was vocal that he didn't think the changes were safe and that he was getting bruised by the shots. Almost looks like he may have let it get to his head. He's not getting set positionally and letting the puck hit him in the body this year, feels like he's try to rely on his athleticism to react to the shot to try to get a blocker, glove, or pad on it - so places where he has more padding. So I do wonder if a lot of it is mentally from that.