Laddy Smid injury

[BACKCHECK!!!]

A 2011-vintage Ladislav Smid would be a game-changer for the Flames, and put them into probably top 3 in the NHL in terms of defence.

Unfortunately, we haven't seen that player in Calgary yet.

Here's hoping the time off does him some good and allows him to recuperate.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Nehkara

I'd like to see how he plays in training camp. He has been an excellent D-man for us at times. Possible he could still fit in our top 6.

When has he been good????

Worst D on our roster healthy or not

[browna]

Any discussion around Smid's injury and future needs to take a look at this from a few months ago that I dug up as part of another conversation.

Oiler incompetence had/has put this guys long term health at risk.

http://forumcdn.calgarypuck.com/show...&postcount=163

[MarkGio]

I'm pretty sure Trevy said Smid is making a recovery and should be ready for camp. I believe it was the pre-draft interview

[mrdonkey]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

I'm pretty sure Trevy said Smid is making a recovery and should be ready for camp. I believe it was the pre-draft interview

I may be one of the few who is very excited about this. Smid was playing as solidly as anyone as a #4/5 D before he went down. Not spectacular, but a reliable stay at home D who isn't even 30 yet.

Gio-Brodie
Russell-Hamilton
Smid-Wideman
Engelland

Is a defense I would rank against anyone in the league.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Nehkara

I'd like to see how he plays in training camp. He has been an excellent D-man for us at times. Possible he could still fit in our top 6.

No way he fits in the top 6.

Giordano
Brodie
Hamilton
Wideman
Russell
Engelland

All significantly better than Smid.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

When has he been good????

Worst D on our roster healthy or not

He was probably good when Burke mentioned him as an untouchable.

[schteve_d]

Originally Posted by codynw

No way he fits in the top 6.

Giordano
Brodie
Hamilton
Wideman
Russell
Engelland

All significantly better than Smid.

All significantly better than Smid offensively. He is still a fantastic shut-down, purely defensive-minded d that I think every team in the league needs at least one of. His skill-set has long been under-rated in the league. It's the same mentality that loved Phaneuf over Regehr. Flash gets noticed but again, every team needs a Smid.

[Trojan97]

Everyone wrote off Engelland as trash and he stepped up tremendously late last season. I don't see why Smid could not potentially come back and step as a solid piece.

[dying4acup]

I think Treliving said what he did because it's the right thing, and it gave him leverage and/or avoided tipping his hand in terms of his intentions regarding the draft.

I don't think Smid plays in the NHL again. At very least not for the Flames.

Sounds a lot like the rhetoric that surrounded Warreners last season on LTIR.

[gargamel]

Originally Posted by codynw

No way he fits in the top 6.

Giordano
Brodie
Hamilton
Wideman
Russell
Engelland

All significantly better than Smid.

If he's healthy (which is a huge "if"), I don't think there's any chance Engelland plays over Smid unless a specific matchup necessitates that we have a fighter in the lineup.

[DoubleF]

Smid is done. He took a hit from Raymond and lost half his strength per the other thread. His neck bulges and needs (needed?) spinal fusion surgery.

Even if he miraculously clears for play, we don't have room for both him and Eggs. Which means we likely ship him out. Why do that when his health is iffy at best and he is a new father?

I get he is a warrior and played through this when he was on the Oilers, but i believe he will sit on the LTIR for the rest of his time with the Flames both due to bodies and because it's the right thing to do. If he insists on playing, I think he gets moved.

[dying4acup]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

Smid is done. He took a hit from Raymond and lost half his strength per the other thread. His neck bulges and needs (needed?) spinal fusion surgery.

Even if he miraculously clears for play, we don't have room for both him and Eggs. Which means we likely ship him out. Why do that when his health is iffy at best and he is a new father?

I get he is a warrior and played through this when he was on the Oilers, but i believe he will sit on the LTIR for the rest of his time with the Flames both due to bodies and because it's the right thing to do. If he insists on playing, I think he gets moved.

And how do you move him?

That's a big price tag for a health risk with a one dimensional game in a best case scenario.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by dying4acup

And how do you move him?

That's a big price tag for a health risk with a one dimensional game in a best case scenario.

No idea. I think you take whatever you can get tbh if there's too many bodies to even press box an extra I think.

That's only if he insists on playing. But I'm not an expert, maybe he doesn't need to move a body if Smid is able to play. Maybe Smid is better than eggs...

But more likely, I think Smid is done and management would be ok with that scenario.

[sureLoss]

Loubardias on 960 says he has yet to hear anything overly promising with regards to Smid's health.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

When has he been good????

Worst D on our roster healthy or not

He has his uses. I'd have killed for a healthy Smid during the Anaheim series.

The fact is that hes getting older and while you state that hes the worst D on our roster, thats not something I'll disagree with unless you're including Schlemko and Wotherspoon, as I'd take a healthy Smid over both of them in the 5/6/7 slot.

Schlemko has more offensive uses, but Smid is solid and dependable for those minutes.

Our defence roster is pretty damned good at the moment. I'm happy with it but think we have to maintain room to bring in some farm kids in order to keep the ball rolling, and in that regard my money is on Morrison.