Mike Smith's... woes? He blows? Eating crows? Who knows! (Also David Rittich exists!)

[Split98]

Originally Posted by transplant99

And Peters admitted what a mistake that was.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/...past-mistakes/

If nothing else... Peters is true to his word.

If that Lack incident was anything, it was at least a window into where his mind really might be at. Have to think that he didn't think he'd be tested THIS much when he said that.

"But... what if the goalie plays WORSE than Lack did...?"

Edit: Above was meant as comedic hyperbole... but it's actually too close for comfort:
"Instead, it’s been a nightmare season for Lack, who has played in just 10 games and has a miserable .873 save percentage."
Smith is .876 over 13GP

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by transplant99

And Peters admitted what a mistake that was.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/...past-mistakes/

Which is fine. Not calling him out in the media. but afterwards in the locker room he should have laid out into Smith and destroyed 2 garbage cans with a stick!

[Toonage]

Also knowing Peters' demeanor and knowing Lack's demeanor it must have driven Peters nuts to see Lack smiling and laughing loss after loss.

[Robo]

I'm not mad at mike smith he just doesnt have it any more it happens. But I'm pissed at Peters for continuing to play him that is just unacceptable, I'm seriously concerned about him as a coach

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

Which is fine. Not calling him out in the media. but afterwards in the locker room he should have laid out into Smith and destroyed 2 garbage cans with a stick!

Maybe he did!

[David Struch]

Originally Posted by Bourque's Twin

There are no viable trade or UFA options at this point in time.

UFA's

Kari Lehtonen
Steve Mason
Ondrej Pavelec
Jeff Glass lol

Panthers have three goalies,

Roberto Luongo
James Reimer
Michael Hutchinson

Hurricanes have three goalies,

Scott Darling
Petr Mrázek
Curtis McElhinney

Flyers have four goalies,

Brian Elliott
Calvin Pickard
Alex Lyon
Carter Hart

And it's really convenient that they are all Eastern Conference Teams.

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Maybe he did!

Good! So as a NHL coach he better staple Smith's butt to the bench for the next 8-10 games.

[Gaskal]

I would rather put myself in net over Mike Smith at this point. I'd at least trust myself more.

[northcrunk]

If you shoot five hole you score 9 times out of 10. He's done in the NHL

[Ozy_Flame]

No need to slog on Mike Smith, as a veteran I am sure he knows the gravity of the situation. And he wants to do everything he can to fix it.

Rather than throw him under the bus, the team just needs to sit him and let Rittich ride his wave until he either ####s the bucket or needs a break. It's the whimsical nature of goalie consistency. I'm sure Smith knew going into the season that the younger goalies are vying for his spot and will be given a chance to shine.

[Shazam]

The torso from the Metallica One video would be a better goaltender than Smith at this point.

[Geeoff]

Could probably get Mason on a real cheap deal. I actually like it, assuming Mason is in game shape. I say give Rittich a run in the starter's net, sign Mason for like 800k and play him in the AHL, since we have AHL injuries. If Smith blows his starts as a backup, swap 'em.

[sureLoss]

Mason apparently already turned down low $ deals to be a backup.

edit:
the reports are Mason might be done because of injury and concussion issues

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

No need to slog on Mike Smith, as a veteran I am sure he knows the gravity of the situation. And he wants to do everything he can to fix it.

Rather than throw him under the bus, the team just needs to sit him and let Rittich ride his wave until he either ####s the bucket or needs a break. It's the whimsical nature of goalie consistency. I'm sure Smith knew going into the season that the younger goalies are vying for his spot and will be given a chance to shine.

Great post and I agree, or send Smith down so he can get some games in and work on his timing. The situation can be positive and constructive.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by DazzlinDino

Great post and I agree, or send Smith down so he can get some games in and work on his timing. The situation can be positive and constructive.

There's not really anyone to call up at the moment. Mentally I think Smith would handle not starting for a bunch of games much better than being sent to the farm. If there's a good replacement for Smith, then the latter doesn't matter.

[The Boy Wonder]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

There's not really anyone to call up at the moment. Mentally I think Smith would handle not starting for a bunch of games much better than being sent to the farm. If there's a good replacement for Smith, then the latter doesn't matter.

I agree, and I also think that Rittich plays better when he has smith in his rearview mirror and has that pressure to keep performing or lose the net, he has seemed to play his best with Smith sitting on the bench, not gilles.

I would say though that in a week or two if Parsons continues to improve and the flames can somehow get smith down there for a conditioning stint (might be easier on his ego?) that would be a potential move to make but I would be hesitant to do it as well and it hinges on Rittich continuing his solid play.

[Geeoff]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Mason apparently already turned down low $ deals to be a backup.

edit:
the reports are Mason might be done because of injury and concussion issues

Oh that sucks. I don't like the idea of spending assets on another Band-Aid

[Matata]

At this point I'm much rather have Rittich struggle with the transition to a starter than give Smith more rope to hang himself with.



Any investment in turning Smith's game around won't be worth it and is likely to be disastrous, time to spend that goodwill somewhere, anywhere else.

[madmike]

I get why Peters is playing Smith. Because of the cap situation, the Flames are stuck with Smith whether they like it or not.



Rittich is unproven. Gillies and Parsons have both stunk this season (and both are now injured). The Flames don't have a lot of options.


I think at this point Peters has to give Rittich more starts and hope for the best. Smith is costing the team too many points and it's going to start affecting the team overall. But Peters is also going to have to pray Smith finds his game because Smith is going to get some starts one way or another. There just isn't another option right now.

[tvp2003]

Let’s let this play out. We have a young, promising backup (much like Talbot, Raanta, Jones, etc all were before they became starters elsewhere). He’s got great numbers this year and is playing well.

Peters isn’t dumb and will start Rittich against the Oilers.

Smith isn’t dumb and knows it’s Rittich’s net to lose.

This could be the best thing to happen to this team in the grand scheme of things. Get yo’ popcorn ready!