Haynes: Smid's future uncertain

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Because the Hitmen might have different needs or wants for a coach.

Most junior clubs would be more than happy to bring on a veteran NHL defenseman that was well known to be a team first guy, especially if he comes with a recommendation from the group that owns your team.

[Erick Estrada]

Kind of crazy he actually came back last season in the first place. I get that he has a passion for the game but he's made a lot of money and still has his family and the back half of his life to look forward to.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Kind of crazy he actually came back last season in the first place. I get that he has a passion for the game but he's made a lot of money and still has his family and the back half of his life to look forward to.

Tbqh, hopefully no doctor will ever clear him again. Life life and enjoy your family Ladi

[true#1center]

Isn't this a perfect opportunity to "Savard/Pronger" Smid? Trade him for a 7th or something.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

Most junior clubs would be more than happy to bring on a veteran NHL defenseman that was well known to be a team first guy, especially if he comes with a recommendation from the group that owns your team.

The Hitmen aren't most junior clubs, and the simple fact is, not every former player is a good coach. At least not on their first go-round as a coach.

I get that you want to reward the guy, but the Hitmen simply do not exist as a dumping ground for Flames castoffs.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

It is truly unfortunate for Smid, but I trust he has played his last game in the NHL. LTIR, keep the dough and enjoy the rest of your life!

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by true#1center

Isn't this a perfect opportunity to "Savard/Pronger" Smid? Trade him for a 7th or something.

Those two contracts carry actual salary that is much lower than the cap hit, so they are attractive to budget teams that use them to reach the cap floor while spending less real money.

Smid's contract actually has more actual salary this year than the cap hit, making it completely unattractive. Cap hit is $3,500,000 while the actual salary is $4,000,000.

No one is trading for Smid, or his contract.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

Tbqh, hopefully no doctor will ever clear him again. Life life and enjoy your family Ladi

Maybe but he got cleared last year.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Those two contracts carry actual salary that is much lower than the cap hit, so they are attractive to budget teams that use them to reach the cap floor while spending less real money.

Smid's contract actually has more actual salary this year than the cap hit, making it completely unattractive. Cap hit is $3,500,000 while the actual salary is $4,000,000.

No one is trading for Smid, or his contract.

Depends if his contract is insured or not. Being on LTIR and insured would mean a team will be paying significantly less than $4 million.

[Robo]

No kidding smid shouldn't play hockey again just stay on ltir or retire this is getting scary he needs to be able to enjoy life

[MarkGio]

The last hit he took wasn't a major blow at all. I respect Smid for trying to make a comeback, but he's got to know little bumps are a part of his game, so if a slight breeze is all that takes to damage his neck, it's time to hang em up.

He doesn't want to become a quadriplegic or something

[kyuss275]

He is not going to retire or agree to a buy-out. He will collect his full salary on LTIR.

[Huntingwhale]

It seems like Smid has been here forever. Every time I look up his stats, he always has a couple years left on his contract. I hope he comes out of this all healthy. He has more then enough money to live comfortably with his family for the rest of his life. Imagine having his financial situation at age 30. I wish him nothing but the best. But it will be a good day when his cap hit is no longer associated with the team.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

They don't have to pay him $4 million at once, they just need to make him whole over a period of years.

There is a pretty huge difference in being paid $4 million all at once vs. taking a job and getting paid over a number of years. That is not exactly making someone whole.

I wasn't aware of the Drury situation but the implication is he sacrificed a large chunk of his final salary in exchange for a job 4 years down the road? Hard to understand why someone would do that.

[Vinny01]

Sucks for Smid. He hasn't been a great Flame but I understand why Oiler fans loved him so much the guy is a warrior. I wish him all the best but so hope his time as a player for the organization are done. Removing Smid and Wideman from this team would clear a lot of wasted cap space at the bottom of our blueline and free up a spot for one of Wotherspoon/Kulak/Culkin/Anderssen/Kylington to make the team full time next year.

[Iceman90]

I speculated on Fireside Chat a few times last season that we've seen the last of Smid in the NHL.

I hope for his sake he retires or stays on the LTIR. I think he's a guy who will have a job in hockey as long as he wants it, he just needs to get off the ice.

[Galakanokis]

To me the scary part is the last hit he took didn't look all that bad and seem rather light and routine. If he can't withstand that type of hit without issues arising there should be no way he can lace up the skates for a NHL game.

[SofaProfessor]

There really needs to be an injury retirement that teams and players can agree to. Especially for situations like Marc Savard where he has to go visit team doctors every few months so they can say, "Yup. You're still unable to play hockey." Even if they look at him tomorrow and say, "Oh wow. You're good to go!" then what? He hasn't played professional, organized hockey in years. It's not like he can just lace up his skates and play like the player he's paid to be. So what's the point of tying up team medical staff to constantly evaluate him other than to continue paying him on LTIR? Let him retire with salary due to injury and stop the whole song and dance.

[MarkGio]

Originally Posted by SofaProfessor

There really needs to be an injury retirement that teams and players can agree to. Especially for situations like Marc Savard where he has to go visit team doctors every few months so they can say, "Yup. You're still unable to play hockey." Even if they look at him tomorrow and say, "Oh wow. You're good to go!" then what? He hasn't played professional, organized hockey in years. It's not like he can just lace up his skates and play like the player he's paid to be. So what's the point of tying up team medical staff to constantly evaluate him other than to continue paying him on LTIR? Let him retire with salary due to injury and stop the whole song and dance.

So long as a player is under contract, they have a chance every single training camp or otherwise. For a person who has spent their whole lives and lost childhood on their career, a chance is all that's needed sometimes.

People only look at his cap hit. Smid, however, looks bad on all those 7am practices rather than watching cartoons and will forever dream about holding a cup or scoring a gold medal goal. I don't think the NHLPA would ever agree to your proposal

[indes]

Gotta feel bad for the guy. Was a real warrior, I hope he doesn't get cleared to play. Cap space be damned take the money and sit it out, don't tempt fate!