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Smith, Sadowy, bide time waiting to make their mark with Wings |
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With Dylan Sadowy and Givani Smith now in the fold, going to the net might not prove be so much of an issue for the Detroit Red Wings in future seasons.
A pair of big forwards who created havoc in front of Ontario Hockey League goaltenders a year ago, Sadowy and Smith are getting the chance to display their wares with the Wings for the first time during training camp in Traverse City, Mich.
“I’m just like a net-front guy,” Sadowy said. “I get into dirty areas, take the crap from the D. That’s kind of my game - win all the small battles and try to outwork the opponent.”
A 6-1, 180-pound left-winger whose NHL rights were acquired by the Wings last spring from the San Jose Sharks, who originally selected him 81st overall in the 2014 NHL entry draft, Sadowy posted back-to-back 40-goal campaigns in the OHL the last two seasons with the Barrie Colts and Saginaw Spirit.
Perhaps his biggest difficulty at this point is displaying the skills that can make him an NHLer in an NHL training camp, where the emphasis in drill work tends to be more about skill evaluation and development than grit and determination.
“One thing with Sadowy is we really have to see him in live action,” Detroit coach Jeff Blashill explained. “I’ve been told his best attribute is right around the net and those areas. It’s hard to show that sometimes in practice and it’s hard to show it in four on four and three on three.
“His game might be something that shows even better once we get to real games but he’s like all the other young guys - it’s a hard league to make a big impression on. He’s done a good job but it’s hard to make the big impression.
“He’s going to have to keep pushing forward to make a real big impression.”
Smith, a 23-goal scorer for the OHL’s Guelph Storm who was selected 46th overall by the Wings in the 2016 draft, is finding a similar level of difficulty in displaying his strengths as a player in camp drills.
“In training camp, you’re working more on skill situations,” Smith said. “We’re playing a lot of four on three and three on three. You don’t really get a lot of opportunities where you can be physical, so I have to pick and choose when I do play that way.”
When the time comes, Smith figures to show everyone what he’s all about.
“My style of play, I’m a physical player,” Smith said. “I consider myself a power forward. I like to get pucks deep and take guys and bring pucks to the net.
“Absolutely I see myself as a net-front type of player, tipping pucks, bringing pucks to the net and also battling in the corners. I see myself as that sort of player.”
Smith is also someone who likes to be an agitating presence.
“I do like to do that as well, grind guys down a little bit, get them off their game,” Smith said. “You’re just playing them hard in all areas of the ice.”
One thing both players instantly recognized upon studying Detroit’s organizational depth chart is that they bring an element to the team that is not found in abundance among the club’s current crop of talent.
“If you’re looking for physical, power forward guys and you’re looking all along the system, there’s not a lot with this team so it gives me a little bit better inside line to hopefully make the team soon,” Smith said.
First Cuts
The Wings made their first cuts of training camp Sunday. Defenseman Jordan Sambrook was assigned to the OHL’s Erie Otters and six players were released from tryouts and will return to their junior clubs – goaltenders Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs, OHL) and Connor Hicks (Hamilton Bulldogs, OHL), defenseman Dylan Coghlan (Tri-City Americans, Western Hockey League) and forwards, Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion, OHL), Luke Coleman (Prince Albert Raiders, WHL) and Jeff de Wit (Red Deer Rebels, WHL).
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