Zack Attack: The Zack Smith Watch

So does Foligno. So does Fisher. So does Neil. So does Winchester. So does Ruutu. So does Kelly. So does Alfredsson. So does Volchenkov.

We aren't bereft of character and grit.

I look forward to the day when Smith is a full time member of the Ottawa Senators. I just don't expect that day to be anytime in 2009.

Murray has gone on record as saying that a player move had to be made to get under the cap and to that point that move was the retirement of Jason Smith. I got the distinct impression that Murray is quite comfortable with the current Ottawa roster, with all its 1-way contracts. Could a move be made? Absolutely, but only if Smith makes it 100% impossible for them to leave him off the team.

cas wrote:So does Foligno. So does Fisher. So does Neil. So does Winchester. So does Ruutu. So does Kelly. So does Alfredsson. So does Volchenkov.

We aren't bereft of character and grit.

I look forward to the day when Smith is a full time member of the Ottawa Senators. I just don't expect that day to be anytime in 2009.

Zack Smith will be the toughest guy on the 2009-10 Senators. Book it.

davetherave wrote:

cas wrote:So does Foligno. So does Fisher. So does Neil. So does Winchester. So does Ruutu. So does Kelly. So does Alfredsson. So does Volchenkov.

We aren't bereft of character and grit.

I look forward to the day when Smith is a full time member of the Ottawa Senators. I just don't expect that day to be anytime in 2009.

Zack Smith will be the toughest guy on the 2009-10 Senators. Book it.

I think Dustin Byfuglien may have something to say about that

Blazer wrote:

davetherave wrote:

cas wrote:So does Foligno. So does Fisher. So does Neil. So does Winchester. So does Ruutu. So does Kelly. So does Alfredsson. So does Volchenkov.

We aren't bereft of character and grit.

I look forward to the day when Smith is a full time member of the Ottawa Senators. I just don't expect that day to be anytime in 2009.

Zack Smith will be the toughest guy on the 2009-10 Senators. Book it.

I think Dustin Byfuglien may have something to say about that

Zack won't back down from anybody. He ain't built like Big Buf, but then who is?

davetherave wrote:

Blazer wrote:

davetherave wrote:

cas wrote:So does Foligno. So does Fisher. So does Neil. So does Winchester. So does Ruutu. So does Kelly. So does Alfredsson. So does Volchenkov.

We aren't bereft of character and grit.

I look forward to the day when Smith is a full time member of the Ottawa Senators. I just don't expect that day to be anytime in 2009.

Zack Smith will be the toughest guy on the 2009-10 Senators. Book it.

I think Dustin Byfuglien may have something to say about that

Zack won't back down from anybody. He ain't built like Big Buf, but then who is?

I think he meant Buf will be a member of the Sens

Smith may very well be a part of the Sens this season, but I wouldn't put his chance any higher than 30%.

@Cas> maybe Buf is on Blazer's SIM Sens...

That must be it because there's no way he'll be on the real Sens

PKC wrote:
Really? Cause it looks like Smith brings as much grit as any of those guys and more scoring as well. If he is in good shape and plays to his abilities, he'll make this team and find himself on the third line with former line-mate Ryan Shannon.

Diddle, don't tease me. :^^^^: I dream of the Sens icing a Z.Smith - Regin - Shannon third line. I know it'll likely be a year, but I'm confident they couldn't outplay some of the guys in the bottom 6 and create some chemistry going forward.

Too bad the numbers game doesn't work properly, but I still hope Regin gets a chance to center line 3, with Zach waiting in the wings for a call up.

SpezDispenser wrote:

PKC wrote:
Really? Cause it looks like Smith brings as much grit as any of those guys and more scoring as well. If he is in good shape and plays to his abilities, he'll make this team and find himself on the third line with former line-mate Ryan Shannon.

Diddle, don't tease me. I dream of the Sens icing a Z.Smith - Regin - Shannon third line. I know it'll likely be a year, but I'm confident they couldn't outplay some of the guys in the bottom 6 and create some chemistry going forward.

Too bad the numbers game doesn't work properly, but I still hope Regin gets a chance to center line 3, with Zach waiting in the wings for a call up.

Zack Smith is the rare case of a player who's going to be a much better NHL'er than he was a minor leaguer. You can bookmark that...

PKC wrote:
Zack Smith is the rare case of a player who's going to be a much better NHL'er than he was a minor leaguer. You can bookmark that...

He's gonna be Mike Fisher IMO. But, that's not a real bad thing of course. He's got the drive to the net, he's a big boy who could easily gain another 10 pounds of muscle because he's not the swiftest of skaters - and probably won't be.

But...I know what you mean. This is the kind of guy that I think Clouston will have the option of tossing on the top line at any point and getting results. Mix his determination in getting to the net with some of the skill we have and Zach may end up as a tougher Holmstrom.

I read on HF that Tim Murray said to a guy who went to the rookie game in Kitchener that Z.Smith had the most realistic shot at making the team, with Regin and Zubov as 'maybes', so the Sens are definitely stoked about him. We could find out real soon what he has to offer.

And you know that I like Chris Neil and I don't really mind that we overpaid him by 500K, but what I do mind is that Regin, Bass and Z.Smith - three guys, who IMO absolutely should be getting their feet wet in the NHL, will not get the chance at this point. Not to mention Zubov - who had quite a good year in Bingo all things considered (Bell taken away, Shannon taken away, Elliott taken away, Regin hurt, Regin called up).

Such a steal in the 3rd round.

hemlock wrote:Such a steal in the 3rd round.

First three rounds, Murray and co. did an exceptional job. Franchise changing hopefully.

Yeah. Well the last two drafts combined would be considered franchise changing I'd say.

Next year we target a stud forward and we are golden.

SpezDispenser wrote:

PKC wrote:
Zack Smith is the rare case of a player who's going to be a much better NHL'er than he was a minor leaguer. You can bookmark that...

He's gonna be Mike Fisher IMO. But, that's not a real bad thing of course. He's got the drive to the net, he's a big boy who could easily gain another 10 pounds of muscle because he's not the swiftest of skaters - and probably won't be.

But...I know what you mean. This is the kind of guy that I think Clouston will have the option of tossing on the top line at any point and getting results. Mix his determination in getting to the net with some of the skill we have and Zach may end up as a tougher Holmstrom.

I read on HF that Tim Murray said to a guy who went to the rookie game in Kitchener that Z.Smith had the most realistic shot at making the team, with Regin and Zubov as 'maybes', so the Sens are definitely stoked about him. We could find out real soon what he has to offer.

There is no such thing.

/Wings fandom

Hopefully he can develop in that vein though. I think a Foligno - Smith combination has potential. If Jimmy O'Brien weren't looking so disappointing recently, I'd say we'd have the line already built.

I've been underwhelmed by O'Brien, but I heard he had a great season last year. We'll see how he does in Bingo this year before I pass judgement on him.

As for Zach? He'll see some time in the NHL this year, no question.

@Spez: "a tougher Holmstrom"? There's a concept.