Sean Maloughney: Oilers Player Report Card - #41 Mike Smith

First.

Good blog.

I think it's easy to see how Smiths ability to puck handle helps the team. It often offsets his less than stellar goaltending.

Weather it's the puck handling or his personality one thing I noticed is how the team plays in front of him. To my eye the team played much harder when Smith was in the net. He just got more run support and effort for some reason than Koskinen. It was very noticeable imo. Which is kind of funny because in Calgary in the playoffs his team hung him out to dry.

Koskinen certainly looked to me to be the far superior goaltender and the choice to use Smith even when struggling cost the Oilers some games.

The UFA group has a few better options than Smith that I hope the Oilers can get instead especially at the price tag Smith got this last year.

Smith played good at times and obviously good enough for a playoff birth but his inconsistency and his price leave much to be desired.

D

Overrated for a long time. Handles the puck good but also has gaffes. Overpriced back-up.

This sounds a lot like Smith's time in Tampa. And he was much younger then, but the same types of performances were there. He'd have one or two solid games (not great, but solid) and then go on a long stretch of mediocre and poor starts. Great puck mover, but not great at anything else.

Nice guy. Great locker-room guy. But, he's an average at best goalie and he's almost knocking on the door of being 40 years old.

I'd cut my losses and let him go.

This sounds a lot like Smith's time in Tampa. And he was much younger then, but the same types of performances were there. He'd have one or two solid games (not great, but solid) and then go on a long stretch of mediocre and poor starts. Great puck mover, but not great at anything else.

Nice guy. Great locker-room guy. But, he's an average at best goalie and he's almost knocking on the door of being 40 years old.

I'd cut my losses and let him go.
- GalacticStone

I’m totally cool with that.

Draisaitl officially wins Art Ross this year. Good for him!

Draisaitl officially wins Art Ross this year. Good for him!
- Rev

Der Panzer

I’m totally cool with that.
- Wildschwein

"Top 5 goalie of all time"

James Tanner probably.

Der Panzer
- MaximumBone

Panther IV or Tiger Aufs B?

"Top 5 goalie of all time"

James Tanner probably.
- smellmyfinger

If he didn’t blog it, he’s certainly thinking it.

Panther IV or Tiger Aufs B?
- Wildschwein

You choose!

You choose!
- MaximumBone

I pick Panther.

"Top 5 goalie of all time"

James Tanner probably.
- smellmyfinger

Jimmy T would retire his jersey right next to Pavel Datsyuk's

So with Texas setting a limit of fans at 50% capacity how long until the NHL announces Dallas as one of if not the hub city for the playoffs to recapture some money back?