Smirnov Thoughs?

Hey i was just wondering what Ducks fans thoughs were of Alexei Smirnov. He was highly thought of back in Russia, but seems to have a bad attitude and hasent produced in NA yet. I see that he only played 8 games with the big club last year but 40 some games the year b4. Any feedback would be greatly apprediated.

He's a total nonfactor on the ice. He has a lot of talent - you can see it when he practices - but he's either too intimidated or too lazy to take the next step in the big leagues. He's not a total bust yet, but he's well on his way.

He has no heart, another genius Pierre Gauthier move.

The only reason he has any value to the Ducks at all at this point is because he is big.

If he starts throwing some hits and opening up some space for him and his linemates then he can be a good third liner.

There is some untapped offensive talent there. We've seen small glimpses of it, at best if he gets motivated he could be a decent second line power forward.

I thought he was going to have a great 2002-2003 season after the first game against the Blues when he had 1 goal and 1 assist and was a +2. That was pretty much all he did that season.

Aren't they trying to convert him to D now, or am I getting him mixed up with someone else?

Aren't they trying to convert him to D now, or am I getting him mixed up with someone else?
Yes they tried him at D in Cinncinatti last season. You know a player is dangerously close to being a total bust when they try converting him to another position.

Yes they tried him at D in Cinncinatti last season. You know a player is dangerously close to being a total bust when they try converting him to another position.
Wasn't that just because of some injuries to Cincy D-Men?

Wasn't that just because of some injuries to Cincy D-Men?
Could be. I never heard why exactly they tried to switch him. I've given up on Alex.

Hey, Brent Burns plays both positions and hes just 18 or 19. Smirnov is the same, hes played both positions...

Anyhow, I think the guy needs to be on a grind line with 2 linemates who show up every night. He needs a Stumpy, Grant Marshall, etc. teammates, and I think he can do fairly well. I remember seeing him make good defensive plays, and he can be good along the boards. He also dishes out hits when he has too, but if he had a veteran line to team him to be nasty, I think he can be an effective, 12 goal 3rd liner. Hes definitely has the skill for 15-20 goals down the line.

Could be. I never heard why exactly they tried to switch him. I've given up on Alex.

Yes, it was for injuries in the Cincy blueline.
I pretty much agree with cheesy post, but I don't know if he could convert himself well as a grinder.
He needs a leader near him, that's for sure.

So is there any chance that Smirnov can be a mainstay on the Ducks roster this year?

So is there any chance that Smirnov can be a mainstay on the Ducks roster this year?

From zero to none.

All of you ready to give up on Smirnov already need to take a serious look at the development/progress of the rest of the 2000 draft class. After the top 6 and a few scattered standouts (Frolov and Williams) Smirnov is no better or worse than any of the other 1st rounders. I'm not saying he WILL take the next step but he certainly still CAN.

As for a roster spot, I don't see why he wouldn't have as good of a chance as Kunitz or Holmqvist for one of the last few openings.

The guys is only 21 years old... i just dont like how they are developing him... come'on having him play defense? Its a little late to change positions this late even if he played D when he was younger. Obviously his confidence is going to be shot... changing positions, playing in the NHL, now in the AHL... being 21 in the US with no family... going on crappy bus road trips...

As for a roster spot, I don't see why he wouldn't have as good of a chance as Kunitz or Holmqvist for one of the last few openings.

because Kunitz can hit and has a better scoring touch and Holmqvist looks more willing to use his size than Smirnov and he is a capable penalty killer.

All of you ready to give up on Smirnov already need to take a serious look at the development/progress of the rest of the 2000 draft class. After the top 6 and a few scattered standouts (Frolov and Williams) Smirnov is no better or worse than any of the other 1st rounders. I'm not saying he WILL take the next step but he certainly still CAN.

As for a roster spot, I don't see why he wouldn't have as good of a chance as Kunitz or Holmqvist for one of the last few openings.
Weak draft? :dunno:

He's shown nothing to me in terms of work ethic and attitude, which was the ? on him coming into the draft. What he's done so far tells me he's not any different from any other first round bust.

because Kunitz can hit and has a better scoring touch and Holmqvist looks more willing to use his size than Smirnov and he is a capable penalty killer.

Kunitz has shown zero scoring at the NHL level yet. Holmqvist physical? Are we talking about the same guy?

Weak draft? :dunno:

He's shown nothing to me in terms of work ethic and attitude, which was the ? on him coming into the draft. What he's done so far tells me he's not any different from any other first round bust.

Then 90% of the draft is a bust, because they've done nothing either. You can count the guys from 2000 that have "done something" on one hand. That's all I'm saying.

Yeah, I was kind of fired up from the World Cup game and came in here and went off. If Smirnov does develop into an NHL player I'll be the first to admit I'm wrong. But right now, third line grinder looks like about the ceiling.

It's a shame too, because he has tremendous potential. Who knows, other prospects have stunk it up for years before breaking out. Olli Jokinen comes to mind. Plus it does take bigger players longer to develop in the NHL. I just am not counting on him making the NHL anytime soon.

Actually I'm not counting on him making the NHL, period.

Kunitz has shown zero scoring at the NHL level yet. Holmqvist physical? Are we talking about the same guy?

He will in time. Smirnov hasn't showed a scoring touch in the AHL at least Kunitz has down there.

Yes Holmqvist is more likely to play physical than Smirnov, he even dropped the gloves to stand up for a teammate last season.

Don't bring Burns into this. Burns is totally different than Smirnov is. Smirnov needs to get a coach to really ride him.

Well I got a proposal:

TO MIN: Alexei Smirnov

TO ANA: Kyle Wanvig, Richard Park, 3rd in 2005?

Something around there, add in another prospect for the Wild.

Why?

Alexei Smirnov might never reach his potential and ultimately will be cut, claimed off waivers whenever he hits it, or go back to Russia. While his value is at an all time low, the Ducks will still get something for him and with the draft pick probably a useful player.

Richard Park ultimately is a good 3rd line 4th line energy player, I don't know if you need them but Park is near the end of his NHL career most likely. Plus it gives him the added bonus of being back in California where he grew up. Wanvig is in the same boat as Smirnov, he hasn't exactly done very much, and is looking in from the outside. Gives the Ducks a potential 3rd line forward that'll fight and maybe put 15-25 points a season...

Probably way off on value since I don't know how to guage Smirnov...

Don't bring Burns into this. Burns is totally different than Smirnov is. Smirnov needs to get a coach to really ride him.

Well I got a proposal:

TO MIN: Alexei Smirnov

TO ANA: Kyle Wanvig, Richard Park, 3rd in 2005?



I don't really know anything about Wanvig, but a midlevel prospect and a 3rd is about Smirnov's value. Ducks wouldn't want a throw in grinder like Park though.

Hmmm, midlevel...we got some guys with size coming up with the Wild but I don't know if Wanvig is really a midlevel prospect anymore...I mean he is but he isn't...

And come on! PLEASE take Park...

He will in time. Smirnov hasn't showed a scoring touch in the AHL at least Kunitz has down there.

Kunitz is 3 yrs older and grew up playing North American hockey. The difference in AHL scoring between them says nothing about long term success in the NHL. Yet anyway.

Yes Holmqvist is more likely to play physical than Smirnov, he even dropped the gloves to stand up for a teammate last season.

Great he's got 1 fighting major, I'm happy for him. Still doesn't mean he plays physical.

The team sees something in this guy, coates thinks he's going to contribute. It seems like he is a good kid. Perhaps I was being hard on him saying he has no heart, he simply could have been overmatched by being rushed. He certainly has top line talent.

Weak draft? :dunno:

He's shown nothing to me in terms of work ethic and attitude, which was the ? on him coming into the draft. What he's done so far tells me he's not any different from any other first round bust.
How many times have we seen him play?It's very hard to judge an 18 or 19 year old kid at the NHL level and say he doesn't work hard enough. The reports from cincy were good, we should reserve judgement on this guy until he's a few years older. Just because a guy doesn't play a physical game doesn't mean he's not working hard.

I think we need to give this kid a break.

Don't bring Burns into this. Burns is totally different than Smirnov is. Smirnov needs to get a coach to really ride him.

Well I got a proposal:

TO MIN: Alexei Smirnov

TO ANA: Kyle Wanvig, Richard Park, 3rd in 2005?

Something around there, add in another prospect for the Wild.

Why?

Alexei Smirnov might never reach his potential and ultimately will be cut, claimed off waivers whenever he hits it, or go back to Russia. While his value is at an all time low, the Ducks will still get something for him and with the draft pick probably a useful player.

Richard Park ultimately is a good 3rd line 4th line energy player, I don't know if you need them but Park is near the end of his NHL career most likely. Plus it gives him the added bonus of being back in California where he grew up. Wanvig is in the same boat as Smirnov, he hasn't exactly done very much, and is looking in from the outside. Gives the Ducks a potential 3rd line forward that'll fight and maybe put 15-25 points a season...

Probably way off on value since I don't know how to guage Smirnov...
Richard park is a dime a dozen player and we have plenty of wanvigs, Smirnov has to much ability to settle for that.

It's amazing how people can label a guy after seeing him in a limited amount of action in the NHL as a 18,19,20 year old guy. How many succeed in the NHL at this age?

He's going to be a good player its just a matter of when.

It's amazing how people can label a guy after seeing him in a limited amount of action in the NHL as a 18,19,20 year old guy. How many succeed in the NHL at this age?

.

I agree with what you are saying here, but wonder why you insist on putting Getzalf into our lineup for next season. Wouldn;t you rather see him develop a bit before we throw him into the fire?

It depends weather or not you believe Getzlaf is NHL ready, would it hurt his development playing 10-12 NHL minutes a game or would it be better for him in the AHL playing 20 plus?

We'll see last year he was supposedly almost good enough out of camp.

We'll see last year he was supposedly almost good enough out of camp.

Well with all due respect what the hell does that mean anyway? If he would have played 10 games in the regular season and racked up 6 points or something like that you may have an argument. But to say he is ready because last year he played well at training camp just seems idiotic.

Does it hurt to play the kid 10-15 games in Cincy and see how he performs there before we automatically throw him into the NHL?

Where did I say he was ready?I said it seemed he was almost good enough out of camp.

I would not write off Smirnov yet - and the organization won't too, at least I think so. You do not pay a first round pick nearly 4 million dollars over 3 years just to say "go home to russia" if he is not in the NHL at 22.

I think a situation comparable to Smirnov's is Oleg Kvasha's. Big, skilled and probably in the NHL too early. It took im 6 seasons to finally put a solid one together. I'd be happy if Smirnov turns out being an "underachiever" like Kvasha :)

Where did I say he was ready?I said it seemed he was almost good enough out of camp.

You didn;t say he was ready but implied that when you inserted him in the Ducks 3rd line.