9 replies to this topic

[DropThePuck]

Smid making a fast adjustment to the NHL
NHL.com 11-28-2006

Although this is his first NHL season, Smid has played like a seasoned veteran, not wasting energy and making smart, efficient plays both with and without the puck. Smid is quick to credit veteran partner Steve Staios with helping to ease his transition, which has seen him pick up two assists in 22 games thus far.

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Edmonton's Ladislav Smid has shown the poise of a veteran in his first year at the NHL level.

[Aeryn]

Take a break, kid

It wasn't until Ladislav Smid started tossing and turning at night in the last two weeks that Edmonton Oilers' coach Craig MacTavish decided to give the rookie defenceman a rest.

Usually, it's the other way around.

.....

"A tooth is broken," said Smid, whose shortcomings of late have been dental as opposed to mental.

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[wildwing94]

Nice picture with him against the Ducks backdrop (sorta)

[wildcat48]

Pirates will get see a former player Ladislav Smid on Friday for the season opener. Smid didn't make the final cut and was sent to Springfield.

[Todrick]

Pirates will get see a former player Ladislav Smid on Friday for the season opener. Smid didn't make the final cut and was sent to Springfield.

WOW

so, now that time has passed, between those two deals,

They Got Penner.

We Got Pronger... And the Cup


works for me

who wouldn't make that trade

[Dark Knight]

Pirates will get see a former player Ladislav Smid on Friday for the season opener. Smid didn't make the final cut and was sent to Springfield.

WOW

so, now that time has passed, between those two deals,

They Got Penner.

We Got Pronger... And the Cup


works for me

who wouldn't make that trade

And don't forget Lupul... whom they don't even have anymore

[LightItUp4126]

Between Pitkaknen, Staios, and Souray I expected him to struggle making the team, but be cut? Not expected at all.

[ahtikullervo]

Poor Ladislav...

[DropThePuck]

Going into this training camp, it looks like Smid will be playing with Denis Grebeshkov in the fifth and sixth defensive hole. Steve Staios, Lubomir Visnovsky, Tom Gilbert and Sheldon Souray are the Top Four.

But how good can Smid be? It looks like he's put on more muscle (up to about 220 pounds), he's gung-ho, and losing and making mistakes stick in his craw, which is a good thing. But he has lots to learn.

"I didn't start very well last year ... they sent me to the minors,which was a bit of a shock, but I think it made me a little stronger," said Smid. "After my first year, I maybe thought it would be easier, but the second year is tougher. It's going to be hard this year, with so many veterans here, but I want to show the coaches I can be top four."

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[DropThePuck]

"I'm just really happy that it worked out like that and I could stay here and play with the Oilers," Smid said. "I feel good here, I bought a house a couple of years ago and it would be hard for me to move somewhere else. My life is pretty much here."

Oilers GM Steve Tambellini, upset word of the parties involved in the deal got out, eventually called his young defenceman. Having been put in an awkward situation, the second-year GM had some explaining to do.

"He called and apologized," Smid said. "I guess it wasn't their fault, but he apologized to me and I talked to (head coach) Pat Quinn as well, so that helped my confidence a little bit."

<Edmonton Sun link>