Whats Smirnov's story?

Obviously he is playing for the baby ducks in the AHL playoffs, but is it now looking like that will be his only future? When he first arrived he was touted as a calder candidate, now it seems that he cant put himself into a poor NHL teams lineup. Is there any chance that he stays with the big club out of camp? Or are we looking at carrer AHLer? :shakehead

He couldn't crack the weak forward corps in Cincy so they converted him to a defenseman. He's big and fast, so maybe there's hope. But no, it doesn't seem like he'll ever justify being picked 12th overall.

And how good would have Alexander Frolov looked right now too (he was picked 20th? by the Kings I believe in 2000)?

He couldn't crack the weak forward corps in Cincy so they converted him to a defenseman. He's big and fast, so maybe there's hope. But no, it doesn't seem like he'll ever justify being picked 12th overall.

The forward corps in Cincy is relatively deep, that's why Gornick and Pohanka saw time in the ECHL and why Pecker was loaned out so he could get playing time.
Also, the defensive corps in Cincy is very weak, that's why Smirnov was moved back there, he had experience in that position in Russia and Anaheim wanted him to see some playing time. He is not being developed as a defenseman, I don't believe, the time on the blueline in Cincy was just a fill-in, while Armstrong and Mottau were injured.
When Smirnov was drafted, it was known then that he had the skills, but his mental desire and drive was less then desirable. It was thought that if someone could get him determined enough to match his skills and physical abilities, then he would be one of the best players out of the draft. High risk, High reward, the Ducks gambled and so far, the Smirnov Experiment hasn't resulted as well as hoped.
This season, he was hampered by a shoulder injury I believe that had him in and out of the lineup quite a bit and it seemed to nag him even when he was playing.
Although I don't think he'll become a power forward or a top line player like he was hoped to become, I think he could still turn around as a decent third liner with good two-way skills.

The forward corps is not deep, except in crap.

In a word:

BUST

In a word:

BUST
Bust,don't think so!It takes more time for BIG men to adjust in the NHL.Look at Bertuzzi.

Bust,don't think so!It takes more time for BIG men to adjust in the NHL.Look at Bertuzzi.
I want to believe you, but I can't. He had trouble making the AHL team as a forward. How can he make an impact at the NHL level. Maybe he will, but it's a longshot at this point.

I want to believe you, but I can't. He had trouble making the AHL team as a forward. How can he make an impact at the NHL level. Maybe he will, but it's a longshot at this point.


I don't know where you read he had trouble making the team as a forward. He was just the only one who had some defense experience so they used him there. I am not saying he isn't going to be a bust. But he wasn't thrown on defense because he couldn't cut it as a forward. We just have too many forwards and not enough defense.

I don't know where you read he had trouble making the team as a forward.
Here...

He couldn't crack the weak forward corps in Cincy so they converted him to a defenseman.

But any way you slice it, they wouldn't have tried to turn him into a defenseman if he were playing great in Cincinnati as a forward.

But any way you slice it, they wouldn't have tried to turn him into a defenseman if he were playing great in Cincinnati as a forward.

See Sami Kapanen in this years playoffs for Philly. Sure he wasn't an offensive juggernaut, but I think you'd be hard pressed to find people that weren't impressed with his play.

This isn't to say that Smirnov will turn out the same, in fact I don't think you guys will ever get him to play a full season in Anaheim. Just thought I'd point out the exception.