Trade: CGY/NJD

[Scott]

To Calgary

Brendan Smith
2011 4th round pick (NSH)

To New Jersey

Jon Blum
Joel Chouinard
2011 3rd round pick (BUF)
2011 3rd round pick (TOR)

[fedro91]

To Calgary

Brendan Smith
2011 4th round pick (NSH)

To New Jersey

Jon Blum
Joel Chouinard
2011 3rd round pick (BUF)
2011 3rd round pick (TOR)

Calagary accept the deal and I know I loss big. But I feel when Lidstrom will retired Smith will take is place. SO hopefully I'm right.

[shooker]

Lidstrom just signed for another year no?

[Robin Hood]

Lidstrom just signed for another year no?

YEAH HE DID

[Scott]

I think Frank means WHEn Lids retires Smith will have a shot at #1

[Shep]

Nice.

[Nick]

LOL. Blum > Smtih... I told frank that and he agreed...

[Tony]

Ouch

[Robin Hood]

LOL. Blum > Smtih... I told frank that and he agreed...

+1

[Shoalzie]

Smith is a quality prospect but don't expect much from him this year on the NHL level. With Lidstrom returning and the cap going up, Holland has a tendency to load up when he's got a short window with a group of players. He'll probably sign a couple free agent defensemen to replace Rafalski and maybe even Ericsson. Smith probably won't be a full time Red Wing until '12-13.

I talked to Scott about Smith but I knew this year he wasn't going to be a factor and it's not worth overpaying for a guy that is going to sit on the bench most of the year. I wouldn't be shocked to see Smith in the NHL this year but it won't be as a member of the opening day roster. He'll be an injury call up if anything.

[Shep]

Blum and Smith both suck, nbd.

[fedro91]

Smith is a quality prospect but don't expect much from him this year on the NHL level. With Lidstrom returning and the cap going up, Holland has a tendency to load up when he's got a short window with a group of players. He'll probably sign a couple free agent defensemen to replace Rafalski and maybe even Ericsson. Smith probably won't be a full time Red Wing until '12-13.

I talked to Scott about Smith but I knew this year he wasn't going to be a factor and it's not worth overpaying for a guy that is going to sit on the bench most of the year. I wouldn't be shocked to see Smith in the NHL this year but it won't be as a member of the opening day roster. He'll be an injury call up if anything.

I'm not expecting him to do something this year. But I believe he'll be very good for the 2012-2013 season. Ryan Ellis will have a better shot at making the Nashville. If I'm wrong then so be it. I,m here to take chances and to built a team to a winner.

[Shoalzie]

Good on you, Frank...I'm sure Smith will turn out to be a good player for the Wings. I'm hoping he will as a fan of the team. It's just how the Wings operate. They don't rush prospects to the NHL nor do they put too many pressure on their prospects to lead their team right away. Smith is a 2007 pick but he might not see the NHL until 5 or 6 years later. Howard was an '03 pick...he had playing time for a couple years but it wasn't until 2009-10 that he had a chance to start. Until they fall back into the lottery (which I hope isn't soon), they won't look to the guys they draft as players that need to help them immediately. They let them season in the AHL or college or Europe and bring them in when they feel the time is right. Smith would probably get an earlier look if he was in another organization but the Wings will allow him to have an extra year of development before taking the training wheels off.

[Scott]

Blum>Smith offensive.. maybe.. but definitely not h2h. And, this is a h2h league guys..

[Shep]

Smith will definitely be better H2H, that's for sure. But, both will be poo

[MSP4LYFE]

^ Why is that? During his time in the WHL, Jonathan Blum was widely regarded as not only the best defenceman in the league, but best overall player. The only thing holding him back is the insane depth of NSH on D (Suter, Weber, Franson), but in terms of potential he is right there with Subban and Carlson, he has the same production, if not better at every level of hockey, save for the NHL.

[Nick]

I saw Blum quiet a bit on the giants, he's frigging awesome....a slick skating, creative dman who doesn't lack grit or defensive positioning....

[Robin Hood]

what kareem and nick said. Blum is awesome. Smith isn't even in the NHL yet and we are making him out to be an h2h player > Blum?

[Shep]

Did you watch Blum in Nashville this year? I realize he's a 21 year old rookie ... but he was not very good at all.

Either way Scott wins, if not on value alone.

I just think both suck.

[Scott]

Joel Chouinard was the key to this deal for me.. I think he has as much offensive potential as both Blum and Smith.