Quote:
Originally Posted by ScorchyScorch
This is truth. Couldn't have explained it better myself. Smid actually physically takes guys off pucks. The rest of our D just lay the odd check but otherwise shove at players numbers and try to poke the puck away which doesn't work on >6' forwards that can protect it. Smid actually has the stay at home defensive game down, was our best D yesterday start to finish and Bob is pulling him out.... the coach is defining insanity right now.
Smid is definitely capable of playing on the second pairing. While he won't provide offense, at least he can be relied on to do the job in his own end. Too bad it won't happen.
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The defensive presence alone is a good enough reason to at least try him with Hamilton. I don't see why at this point trying some new combinations on the bottom 4 is a bad idea. If Smid does really well he could be trade bait for a contender. It couldn't hurt.
Bennett also needs to see more ice time up the middle, if hes going to develop into a 1A-1B guy on this team he needs to bulk up a bit and really get to the grind at the dot. That makes moving someone like Backlund out a move we can afford to make.
That would also allow the Flames to shuffle Bennett and Monahan with Johnny. That is a nice luxury to have.