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

[ResAlien]

There’s nothing for me to say that I haven’t said since the day Smith was acquired. Hopefully management and the coaching staff don’t allow his inability to play goalie at an NHL level to torpedo this season.

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

When did he say that
Or are you just making junk up?

I appreciate your and Bingo's contributions to this site, but I cant think of a single time either of you have cracked down and harshly called out a player for a lengthy dog #### performance. I haven't seen either of you get heated about a bad player.

[MisterJoji]

What will it take to get McE from Carolina? Rittich/McE due would be nice. Retain the max 50% of Smith’s salary and give Carolina a second round pick for their trouble. McE actually has the worst stats for the 3 goalies there but at this point 2.81 and .884 would be a godsend vs. what Smith is rocking.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

How are you going to trade him?

Put him on waivers and bring up Gillies.

[I_H8_Crawford]

I do feel bad for Smith as this is clearly the end of his career.

Only question now is are the Flames stupid enough to let him sewer their season, or do they just give him say, 8 more games this year, MAX and be prepared to take those losses?

[keenan87]

Traded? No one wants our garbage

[sempuki]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

I appreciate your and Bingo's contributions to this site, but I cant think of a single time either of you have cracked down and harshly called out a player for a lengthy dog #### performance. I haven't seen either of you get heated about a bad player.

That probably makes him a good person. It's a *game* people. Say what you want good or bad, *none* of you call the shots. Maybe fans need to adjust their sense of perspective?

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

I appreciate your and Bingo's contributions to this site, but I cant think of a single time either of you have cracked down and harshly called out a player for a lengthy dog #### performance. I haven't seen either of you get heated about a bad player.

I literally tonight said they can't go back to Smith.

What more do you want? I guess I could drop in a couple f-bombs or call him a piece of garbage if you want.

I've criticized plenty of players - including Johnny.

I hated Jiri Hudler the entire time he played here.
Just a few examples....

In fact my ENTIRE point in the last few years is that you should hold the players accountable for bad performance.


I don't get heated because that's not my nature. But that doesn't mean I haven't criticized players when they play poorly

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by codynw

I'd rather see Gillies and Rittich again. At least those two have the potential to get better. Smith is done. How many more weak wrist shots do we have to watch squeak through his pads before Treliving/Peters figure it out?

Gillies is injured.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

I literally tonight said they can't go back to Smith.

What more do you want? I guess I could drop in a couple f-bombs or call him a piece of garbage if you want.

I've criticized plenty of players - including Johnny.

I hated Jiri Hudler the entire time he played here.
Just a few examples....

In fact my ENTIRE point in the last few years is that you should hold the players accountable for bad performance.


I don't get heated because that's not my nature. But that doesn't mean I haven't criticized players when they play poorly

Yeah! But human garbage. Piece of human garbage.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by MisterJoji

What will it take to get McE from Carolina? Rittich/McE due would be nice. Retain the max 50% of Smith’s salary and give Carolina a second round pick for their trouble. McE actually has the worst stats for the 3 goalies there but at this point 2.81 and .884 would be a godsend vs. what Smith is rocking.

I'd rather just jettison Smith to the minors and see if someone waives a guy like McElhinney if the Flames decide going for someone of his calibre is the best bet. The only time they should trade 2nds is if they get a guy like Varlamov.

[Corral]

This was a questionable acquisition from the beginning, only made palatable by the short term.

Rittich deserves a shot at #1 for sure. But the flames are nervous because the season hangs in the balance and with the struggles in LA and ANA this team should easily make the playoffs so missing because of goaltending will cost jobs

[jonkaupp]

Even when he’s stopping the puck I get nervous. He has no rebound control whatsoever anymore. He’s just terrible

[Flamenspiel]

Originally Posted by motorcrosser

So what do you GM's do if Rittich pulls a Smith? Let's not forget the rest of the team isn't scoring for squat. No offensive help lately.

Thats on Smith as well, the players are on pins and needles when he plays. If they had more confidence in the goalie they would take a few more chances. The defensemen are being extremely cautious.

If he had have played Rittich today and got the win you maybe take a chance with smith against he Oilers, who he usually plays well, now if Rittich has a bad game its a face palm scenario.

I think that Peters has some baggage as it pertains to the scenario with Eddie Lak, he has been way more then patient with Smith.

[Angelino]

Smith is garbage in pads. He should retire or see a psychologist. Both?

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Dion Phagoof

The fact that "The Wizard" went into the season with a broken down Mike Smith as our #1 proves he should be fired.

Asinine. The guy that brought in Hanifin and Hamonic and Lindholm, all of whom are playing great. Who got Rasmus, drafted Valimaki, Dube, Tkachuk, found Rittich. Who negotiated Gaudreau, Hanifin, Monahan etc into great great contracts.

[Leo]

Can we get that accountant guy that filled in for Chicago one period that one time

[c.t.ner]

Originally Posted by Corral

Rittich deserves a shot at #1 for sure. But the flames are nervous because the season hangs in the balance and with the struggles in LA and ANA this team should easily make the playoffs so missing because of goaltending will cost jobs

Pretty much this. BT knows that this is a make or break season for his job security, he's not going to let Smith tank the season. The rest of the team is playing well enough to be a top 2 team in the division and the coaching is making the appropriate adjustments, I don't think he'll go as far as sending him to the minors, but I wouldn't be shocked to an obvious shift to a tandem system or Rittich given the number one by the end of American Thanksgiving.

[PuckFather]

Could it be that a trade to the Capitals/Lightning and change of scenery do wonders for him? I think those teams might take him with their goaltending situation/injuries.

[Johnny Makarov]

Can't believe some guys on here defended him and Peter's decision to start him AFTER the loss to San Jose.