GDB 20: Smid wings it
Jason Gregor
November 20 2008 12:04PM
You will see another new wrinkle tonight for the Oilers. For the first time in his NHL career, Ladislav Smid will suit up on offence. He will play with Brodziak and Pouliot on the fourth line.
Smid always plays with emotion. Does he make the right decision all of the time? No. But his effort is always there. His robust style is what the Oilers need on their fourth line, and Smid is a good enough skater that in theory he should be able to be effective on the forecheck.
But the other areas of the job will be difficult for him. I sat down with Smid after he fielded questions from the largest scrum of reporters he had seen in his young career.
Gregor: Sniper Smid, is that your name now that you are a forward? Smid: Yeah, pretty much... the guys will have to get used to the new name. Gregor: Do you remember the last time you scored a goal? Smid: No... Ahhh no... Well, well. No, it’s been too long. (Laughs) Gregor: Do you remember the last time you played forward? Smid: Third grade. I was about seven. That’s pretty impressive, eh! Gregor: Were you centre or winger? Smid: I was centre, top goal scorer on my team actually. Then they put me on defence, because my Dad played defence for the Czech Republic national team. Maybe if I was still a centreman, I would be a top scorer. You never know. (Laughs again). Gregor: You seem excited, but what is going to be the biggest challenge? Smid: I am excited, but still I’m very nervous like usual. Defensively there are lots of new things. I’m used to being in the corners and in front of the net. Now I have to cover their D, and they are the best in the league, so it will be different, but I have to deal with it and hopefully I will do well. Gregor: Your coach talked about players to compete every shift. You have shown that willingness as a D-man. Is your plan to just dump and chase and hopefully dish out some hits? Smid: Yes, that’s the idea that MacT had. I have to pressure their D and see what happens. Gregor: Did you practice tipping pucks or deflecting pucks in practice today? Smid: I’m really bad at that. I’m just going to stand in front of the net and hope it goes in. I don’t know how guys do it. It is a miracle to me if I can tip it. If it happens it is a miracle.
You have to like Smid’s honesty. You couldn’t wipe the smile off his face today. He just wants to play. He was asked if he thought about saying no to the idea when MacTavish approached him, “Are you crazy? This is the NHL, I just want to play.”
Later on when everyone was gone, Smid admitted to me that Detroit might not be the best team to get used to playing forward against. They are the best in the league and it will be a challenge.
Then I asked him, “When you go out, do you try and talk to the best looking girl or just an average one? Testing yourself against the best is always more rewarding.” He laughed in agreement. “That is very true. Hopefully I don’t get shot down tonight.”
Smid is one of the funnier guys to talk with. He doesn’t shy away from most questions, and he seems like he really enjoys being in the NHL. It will be interesting to see if he still enjoys it after going up against Lidstrom, Rafalski and the rest of the Detroit D tonight.
—Listen to Gregor weekdays from 3 to 6pm on TEAM 1260 or online at www.justagame.ca.
So far this game has looked like it's been over faster than the time I liquefied my love after finding dad's "skin" magazines for the first time.
What the hell. I thought Mick McGeough retired?
won't work Ethan, the Wings never, never retaliate.
Nice, 4 on 4
We need to get it going
HAHAHAHAHAH JEAN SHORTS
I second Wayne's assertion.
How is it that everyone has figured out that Roli will have a couple of good games and than a terrible one, but MacT hasn't.
So now all we have to do is let a goalie win a few games, than bench him and start someone else to avoid a bad start?
(Head explodes)
Hey that bitch probably wanted him to clean the gutters during his pregame nap. She deserves a couple of black eyes.
lol - tough love
freeze Says: For the cheapos (me included), here is the link: http://atdhe.net/live-tv-675.html
Thank goodness for you, Freeze. I can shut this off now and not feel bad about wasting any money. I'f I'd actually paid to watch this, I'd be owlier than Wayne on a webmaster.
Well. If Hemsky can't figure out a way to get it done on a 3 on 2, there is going to be no goals tonight.
kill him big sexy!
DEAR GOD, DON'T BREAK ANYTHING!
Every time Souray fights I pretend he's defending my honor. Mmmmm
That fall had dislocated shoulder written all over it
Is there no tie down straps on these third jerseys? Or did Cole AND Souray not get the memo about that 6 year old rule?
Decent fight, though. Get'm, Souray!
Our goon Smid had better straighten out the Mule for running Hemsky
Horcoff's Hero's?
Under priveledged kids with 2 colours of eyes...
Wow everyone gives back
yeah, do you think Souray is gone for the night cuz of the tie down rule? Maybe the refs didn't notice.
His shirt didn't come off like coles - if you get jersied you get the boot.
Where's the buffet table?
Everyone on that panel looks like they're ready to bolt...
Rob Brown's hair plugs make Donald Trump's hair look like a lucious flock of sea gulls
I thought the tie town rule was just if it's not tied...gonzo...regardless of whether it goes over your head or not.
Dive on the grenade hockey
Bob Stauffer once again is pouring out of his collar
47.13 Jerseys - A player or goalkeeper who deliberately removes his jerseyprior to participating in an altercation or who is clearly wearing a jersey that has been modified and does not conform to Rule 9 – Uniforms, shall be assessed a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct and a game misconduct. This is in addition to other penalties to be assessed to the participants of an altercation. If the altercation never materializes, the player or goalkeeper would receive a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct and a ten-minute misconduct for deliberately removing his jersey.
A player or goalkeeper who engages in a fight and whose jersey is removed (completely off his torso), other than through the actions of his opponent in the altercation or through the actions of the Linesman, shall be assessed a game misconduct penalty.
A player or goalkeeper who engages in a fightand whose jersey is not properly “tied-down” (jersey properly fastened to pants), and who loses his jersey (completely off his torso) in that altercation, shall receive a game misconduct penalty. If the player or goalkeeper loses his jersey despite the tie down remaining in tact and attached to the pants, the game misconduct is not applicable, however this must be reported to the League office so that the jersey and the tie down can be examined.
A player or goalkeeper who is involved in an altercation, when the opponent has been identified as an instigator, shall not be assessed a game misconduct penalty if his jersey should be removed by an opponent or an official in the discharge of his duties, regardless as to whether or not he was properly “tied-down” (jersey properly fastened to pants).
His jersey never came off, it was tied down. He pulled his arm out of the sleeve to free it up. That is doesn't get you kicked out.
Coolio, thanks Buck
Holy Explanation Batman
I don't care what anyone says. Les Stroud is bad ass.
nhl.com has it just listed a 5 each for fighting.
Trade Garon!
Roli is gone at the end of the year anyhow. Garon could be & will be if isn't playing.
Les Stroud is nuts - taping yourself climbing the mountain, climbing down the mountain to get your camera.
I agree - he is a bad ass
LOL - how can you show offensive hilights when we didn't even have offence?!??!
wow, good shift.
It was solid - can't buy a break, although getting a power play is a bonus
Good Shift Boys!!!!!!!!!!
duck me
^^goose!
Come someone please remove rob Brown's mouth from zetterbergs wohoo
"The Oilers were unable to get any good penetration on that powerplay"
Overheard on the bench:
MacT: OK Penner, I was mean and I want to make it up to you. If you get a goal tonight I will give you a twinkie.
Pens: Yippie skippie, I like twinkies.
MacT: Good, well if you get two goals I will give twooooo twinkies. How does that sound?
Pens: Wow and early Christmas for me, How many goals do I need for the whole box?
MacT: What the..?!?!?! the whole box, WTF is wrong with you man.
Pens: (Face full of cream and cake)(Muffled voice, b/c his mouth is full) Uhhh too late coach, you shouldn't have set them on the bench, you know I like to keep my blood surgar high. Tell you what if I score now, buy me a pizza.
I think Penner is partial snack cakes with sprinkles on them though
I love transcripts
"Rob Brown Says: November 20th, 2008 at 8:13 pm “The Oilers were unable to get any good penetration on that powerplay”"
Is that because their sticks are too short??? ha? Anyone?
I can't think of any jokes. This game is too concerning
Souray looks delicious with that goatee. He sees more ass than a dozen toilet seats.
MacT: I'm not even going to be subtle about it this time. I'm not going to grab a beer and jingle my keys. I'm past that. If you group of retards don't score some goals I'm going to commit vehicular manslaughter. Which one of you mother truckers is going to be riding shot gun huh?