[Rumour] Seravalli: Oilers have connected with Mike Smith

[Owen15]

Originally Posted by Locke

Heres the best part, and I dont mean to belittle Smith, but he was a notoriously mentally fragile goalie.

How well do you think that'll play out in Edmonton? They're not exactly the most patient group.

Maybe they plan on having Smith play the glove side and Kostinem play the blocker side?

This would help with the lack of forward depth, just roll two forwards every shift.

[mrdonkey]

Originally Posted by Owen15

This would help with the lack of forward depth, just roll two forwards every shift.

Isn’t that what they do already? Just play McDavid and Draisaitl every other shift with a rotating cast of AHL players.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Between 2016–2018 Cam Talbot played more games than any other goalie by a huge margin. Including the playoffs he started in 153 games in two seasons.

The Oilers ran him into the ground.

You only have to go back 2016-17 pages in the E=NG threads to see many here had noted several times over that period that the McLellan was playing Talbot too much and were running him into the ground. When that actually happened people act surprised and conclude he's on the decline. I expect there was a combination of him wearing down physically and a loss of confidence. Goalies are a different breed so while I can't predict he will revert to his early play with the Oilers I do feel if he can get his confidence back he can at least get back to being a serviceable NHL goaltender.

[GoinAllTheWay]

If Smith truly is moving on, I really hope he infused Rittich with his puck handling skills. I think the team would really miss that. Heck, I'd miss that. Causes the occasional heart attack but man, so worth it.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

You only have to go back 2016-17 pages in the E=NG threads to see many here had noted several times over that period that the McLellan was playing Talbot too much and were running him into the ground. When that actually happened people act surprised and conclude he's on the decline. I expect there was a combination of him wearing down physically and a loss of confidence. Goalies are a different breed so while I can't predict he will revert to his early play with the Oilers I do feel if he can get his confidence back he can at least get back to being a serviceable NHL goaltender.

It triggers the memory of one of my favourite broadcast quips from that season:

Drew Remenda: "Cam Talbot uses sleep as a weapon!"

[Split98]

As a human, I don't wish for Mike Smith to be an Oiler

As a Flames fan, I can't wait to see that easy glove paired with the easy glove they already have back there. Smith trying to control the puck and while the horrid defence infront of him allows the world to collapse on him over and over? Smith couldn't be a worse goalie for them besides his speculated love for facing shots. We started a lot of games with confidence only to have that weakened by a Smith softie (or two) to open the game. I can't imagine the locker room rallies and fan base tolerates it better than we did.

But I also can't wait for them to try some "we'll catch the WHOLE TEAM behind McDavid!!!!" long bombs as a part of their new genius plan. Why have a roster when you can just spring your Golden Boy over and over and over?


But this is not a good move if I'm Mike Smith.

[Tron_fdc]

Smith is an aggressive, fiery guy and I’m not so sure that he would fit in all that well up there both in the room and in front of the cameras.

Which is why I hope they sign him.

[sempuki]

I think Mike Smith would be good for the oilers on a couple levels. I hope they go with Mrazek -- there's a reason why he's bounced around to so many teams.

[Brick]

A good move for Mike Smith would be to go to Carolina.

[Split98]

^ Especially so when you consider that their goalie coach moved this off-season.

Smith seemed like a good mentor, and likely has a good idea of who they could bring on-board if they haven't hired already. It's a totally blank slate there which could be a great option leading into retirement.


Or... finish your career in misery and anger. Tough choice...

[jlh2640]

Which Smith though . . . regular season or playoff Smith

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Split98

As a human, I don't wish for Mike Smith to be an Oiler

As a Flames fan, I can't wait to see that easy glove paired with the easy glove they already have back there. Smith trying to control the puck and while the horrid defence infront of him allows the world to collapse on him over and over? Smith couldn't be a worse goalie for them besides his speculated love for facing shots. We started a lot of games with confidence only to have that weakened by a Smith softie (or two) to open the game. I can't imagine the locker room rallies and fan base tolerates it better than we did.

But I also can't wait for them to try some "we'll catch the WHOLE TEAM behind McDavid!!!!" long bombs as a part of their new genius plan. Why have a roster when you can just spring your Golden Boy over and over and over?


But this is not a good move if I'm Mike Smith.

Mike Smith played a long time under Tippett. While Edmonton is not an ideal destination for any player I would say at least Tippett may know how to handle Smith as not every head coach is going to bring out the kid gloves after he has a total stinker.

[djsFlames]

As long as they get more of 2018 Smith and not 1st round Smith.

Smith actively looking to feed the puck up to McDavid floating in the neutral zone would be annoying though.

[Stanley]

Urgh....Smith stretch passes to McDavid...######

[CaptainCrunch]

More like Smith loses his mind and drops his gloves and beats McDavid down after witnessing his 100th fly by rush to the bench to avoid the minus defensive game plan.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Stanley

Urgh....Smith stretch passes to McDavid...######

Lol half would end up in the Oilers net

[Stanley]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Lol half would end up in the Oilers net

huh...good point

[mikeecho]

Oilers don’t have defense agile enough to react in a split second when Smith is behind the net and waits way to long to make a pass and just throws it in the feet of the closest defensemen in the corner.

Russell will just have to drop and lay on the puck I guess.

[カナダ人です]

Originally Posted by Iggy City

Smith is a great goalie, perhaps the best in the market currently. Oilers would definitely look scary with him in net. I bet they make the Western finals atleast, definite shot at the cup too.

He also has tonnes left in the tank. Basically looked like a 23 year old out there last year, especially in the regular season.

[crapshoot]

Originally Posted by mikeecho

Oilers don’t have defense agile enough to react in a split second when Smith is behind the net and waits way to long to make a pass and just throws it in the feet of the closest defensemen in the corner.

Russell will just have to drop and lay on the puck I guess.

At least Kris Russell will most likely lead the leage in blocked passes from his own goaltender.