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Forums :: Blog World :: Paul McCann: Scouting the Central - 2019 - Colorado plus Rookie Tournament Notes
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Paul McCann
Nashville Predators
Location: Nolensville, TN
Joined: 09.15.2005

Sep 9 @ 9:37 AM ET
Paul McCann: Scouting the Central - 2019 - Colorado plus Rookie Tournament Notes
Squatchy
Nashville Predators
Location: Clarksville, TN
Joined: 05.09.2018

Sep 9 @ 12:16 PM ET
It would be great for the Preds if Tolvy rounded into a competent NHL player this year. Signing Duchene was great, but they need somebody else to step up and stake a serious claim to that last top six forward position if they want to be a serious contender this season. I don't care where it comes from either, whether it's one of the rookies catching fire, Turris rebounding, Smith finally finding some consistency (not holding my breath on that one), or even maybe a guy like Sissons taking a step forward. With Subban gone and Ellis apparently regressing, the Preds don't have the luxury of waiting around for their defense to provide the offense anymore. You don't want the Duchene signing to look like a bust because the guys around him are complete garbage. I don't care what all the NHL experts are saying, Duchene likely isn't going to be on the first line, not right away. At the very least, they're not going to bump Joey off the first line for him. Nobody wants to see Johansen and Granlund on the same line... No one would ever shoot the puck.
Vegas Trotzkies
Nashville Predators
Location: OR
Joined: 07.18.2006

Sep 9 @ 12:40 PM ET
It would be great for the Preds if Tolvy rounded into a competent NHL player this year. Signing Duchene was great, but they need somebody else to step up and stake a serious claim to that last top six forward position if they want to be a serious contender this season. I don't care where it comes from either, whether it's one of the rookies catching fire, Turris rebounding, Smith finally finding some consistency (not holding my breath on that one), or even maybe a guy like Sissons taking a step forward. With Subban gone and Ellis apparently regressing, the Preds don't have the luxury of waiting around for their defense to provide the offense anymore. You don't want the Duchene signing to look like a bust because the guys around him are complete garbage. I don't care what all the NHL experts are saying, Duchene likely isn't going to be on the first line, not right away. At the very least, they're not going to bump Joey off the first line for him. Nobody wants to see Johansen and Granlund on the same line... No one would ever shoot the puck.
- Squatchy


Smith has consistently scored 20-25 goals 5 of the last 6 years. I think you may be conflating consistentency with your expectations, which perhaps are unrealistic.
Squatchy
Nashville Predators
Location: Clarksville, TN
Joined: 05.09.2018

Sep 9 @ 9:54 PM ET
Smith has consistently scored 20-25 goals 5 of the last 6 years. I think you may be conflating consistentency with your expectations, which perhaps are unrealistic.
- Vegas Trotzkies


My expectations of Smith are actually quite realistic... Because you know exactly what to expect from Craig, and have for about three seasons now. He's good for around twenty goals a year, and he's always going to give you his best effort, but two out of every three games he's a complete non-factor, if he doesn't go totally invisible. That's what I mean when I bring up Smith's consistency, he's just not the same player night-in-and-night-out. Top six forwards in this league should at least be threats to score most nights, even when they don't score. That's were Craig comes up short. Look, I like Smith too. He's one of the few guys on the team whose effort I never question, I'm just under no delusions to what he is. He's an overachieving third line caliber player with top six talent, but for whatever reason just can't put things together in long enough stretches to rely upon him in a top-six role. Yes, if Lavy is going to continue using Smith in the top six, I am going to expect him to play at a top six level or I will continue to be disappointed with him. Hopefully playing with Duchene and Granlund next year will be what he needs to reach that next level, if he is capable of reaching it.
wrister
Joined: 12.28.2011

Sep 11 @ 12:04 PM ET
My expectations of Smith are actually quite realistic... Because you know exactly what to expect from Craig, and have for about three seasons now. He's good for around twenty goals a year, and he's always going to give you his best effort, but two out of every three games he's a complete non-factor, if he doesn't go totally invisible. That's what I mean when I bring up Smith's consistency, he's just not the same player night-in-and-night-out. Top six forwards in this league should at least be threats to score most nights, even when they don't score. That's were Craig comes up short. Look, I like Smith too. He's one of the few guys on the team whose effort I never question, I'm just under no delusions to what he is. He's an overachieving third line caliber player with top six talent, but for whatever reason just can't put things together in long enough stretches to rely upon him in a top-six role. Yes, if Lavy is going to continue using Smith in the top six, I am going to expect him to play at a top six level or I will continue to be disappointed with him. Hopefully playing with Duchene and Granlund next year will be what he needs to reach that next level, if he is capable of reaching it.
- Squatchy





Smith has good speed going down the "right side." Good shot. Stick handling ??
On another note: Colorado could be really scary if they can put all their pieces together. X- factor is their coach.....Good !