Ryan Smyth?

[DarkStar50 679]

With the NHL Center Ice TV deal, I'm watching alot more Western teams than ever before. The Nucks are interesting to watch but now I see Oilers like it was the 80s all over again. I have been watching #94 Ryan Smyth and can't figure him out. He is supposed to be a Shanny clone or what? Super strong power forward? I don't see it yet and just want to better understand the hub bub on Ryno. He was hot and cold in last nights game vs Avs. Dumb penalty with elbow to goalie in 3rd period. Maybe not intentional but late in the game, get some control down low in the zone. Anyway, I'm not trashing the guy, just wondering if he's a slow starter or what?

[lee92 2]

peca's been a defensive forward for the past couple years, and the oilers want him to step into a prime offensive role, and he's having trouble adjusting.

for ryan smyths case, i've always thought of him as a grinder sort. not a power forward, not a finesse player...just someone who gets the job done, and doesn't care how pretty it looks.

[DarkStar50 679]

Theo,

I'm in the shop til 9 on Tuesday and Wednesday so by the time I turn on NHL CI TV its all Western hockey. For all the Oilers I've watched, last night in 3rd period I heard Peca's name called and I had forgotten he was on the team! I guess that explains the "force" he's been. Yorkie was offence, Peca is defence so I don't know what Kevin Lowe and staff expect from Peca on the offensive side of the stat sheet but....... OK Ryno is a grinder, definitely no finesse. He is just always on these all Team Canada deals so I thought there was more to be had from #94. I'll keep watching him.

[beaucoup_fish 0]

Ryan Smyth is actually an underrated offensive player. Yes, he's a grinder, but he can also score goals. I think, if I remember correctly, his best goal output was 39. He's got deceptive speed and some decent hands, and is an all around good player. I'd love to have him on my team - he's a true warrior and a great leader.

I think a good frame of reference might be Wendel Clark. Smytty doesn't seem to drop the gloves nearly as much, but in terms of grit, heart and style, it's the best I can think of at this moment.

I don't remember who said it, but it sums up Ryno pretty well: "His goals have blood on them."

[DarkStar50 679]

Any player compared to Wendel Clark is AOK in my book!

[Chadd 916]

He is usually on the Olympic team because he's a good player, but he also never says no when asked to play in a world championship or any other tournament.

He's a good grinder but also put up more points in Edmonton than he would anywhere else simply due to the number of minutes played.

[McCabe#1 0]

I would not compare Ryan Smyth to Wendel Clark, that is an insult to Wendel Clark. I'm not trying to put down Smyth, but people put Clark down a bit for the Leafs teams he played on. When Wendel was healthy, which wasn't that long, he was a great player. Ryan Smyth is not at his level.

[Eazy_b97 1]

Clark and Smyth have similar heart, but thats about it. Clark was a force on the ice, Smyth isn't.

I'm not a big fan of Smyth, I like him, but he gets over hyped because of his team Canada play. He's a second line forward who works his ass off. Except he's played in Edmonton for years, so he gets first line minutes. I throw Peca into the same overrated category as Smyth. Plays for team Canada, you'll see a nice highlight goal or two and think he does it everyday. Edmonton is in alot of trouble with nobody to score goals. I love that Torres though.

PS - The misses bet on last nights game, pro-line $2, the goal with 47 seconds left (she had a tie) cost her $135!

[DarkStar50 679]

The goal from behind the Oiler net was garbage. The slap shot from 5' out was ridiculous. Jussi is in for some serious rubber in Oiltown.

[J-Shera 0]

Smyth is also playing with a sprained MCL, because his teams in a slump and needs him. Says alot about his character IMO

[mack 44]

Smytty's all about heart but it's a good thing he doesn't play for TO or he'd be just as overrated as everyone else there. Gritty and I'll agree with the 2nd line talent, but he'll show up every night.

[Adam91 0]

Peca is finally just showing how overated he is. If the Oilers young guys (Stoll,Torres) weren't showing up I can't imagine how bad the Oilers record would look right now.

[beaucoup_fish 0]

I would not compare Ryan Smyth to Wendel Clark, that is an insult to Wendel Clark.  I'm not trying to put down Smyth, but people put Clark down a bit for the Leafs teams he played on.  When Wendel was healthy, which wasn't that long, he was a great player.  Ryan Smyth is not at his level.

Who then, in your opinion is a better comparison to Smyth?

And, if you look at both Clark and Smyth's stats, they are remarkably similar.

Clark's best season: 76 points. Smyth: 70. Differential: 6

Clark's top goals: 46. Smyth: 39. Differential: 7

Clark's Career PPG clip: 0.71. Smyth: 0.67. Differential: 0.04

I'd say it's a pretty damn good comparison. Yes, I'd say overall, Clark was slightly more skilled - he had a wicked wrister and some good hands. But was Wendel pure first line super star? Nah, don't think so. Is he a HOFer? Nope. Is Smyth a pure first line super star? Nah, dont' think so. Is he a future HOFer? Nope.

Pecker - hell yes overrated. Just like some guy named Shane Doan.

[Eazy_b97 1]

Clark was a physical presence. Smyth isn't. They play very different games on the ice, which is why your comparison is being jumped on. Statistics don't do Clark justice. I look at Smyth and say the opposite though, his numbers seem to be higher than I expect from a guy like him.

[beaucoup_fish 0]

Clark was a physical presence. Smyth isn't. They play very different games on the ice, which is why your comparison is being jumped on. Statistics don't do Clark justice. I look at Smyth and say the opposite though, his numbers seem to be higher than I expect from a guy like him.

How is Ryan Smyth not a physical presence?

The guy stands in front of the net and takes whatever punishment the opposing D throws at him - it's how he gets his goals. They have blood on them for !@#$ sake! He finishes his checks and works his ass off. The man is a workhorse and has the heart of a lion. He just doesn't fight as much as Clark, and fighting isn't an indicator of physical presence anyway.

[Eazy_b97 1]

He doesn't scare opponents. Is Holmstrom anywhere near the physical presence Lindros was in his prime? Not a chance, but it doesn't mean Holmstrom isn't a tough SOB.

[McCabe#1 0]

Beaucoup, did you ever watch Wendel play in the mid 80's to early 90's?

[beaucoup_fish 0]

Beaucoup, did you ever watch Wendel play in the mid 80's to early 90's?

I guess so, considering I know his style of play and his talents. You can't read about that kinda stuff. You gotta see it, and trust me, I saw lotsa Wendel. In short, yes.

Easy, does Tomas Holmstrom scare opponents? No. Did Wendel Clark scare opponents? I don't think so. Everyone knew he was a tough SOB, but he didn't scare anyone. Guys that are 5'10" don't scare anyone in the NHL. Does Zdeno Chara scare oppoenents? You can bet on it.

And if Ryan Smyth - who will play on any given day unless he's dead, isn't tough, I don't know who is. Sure, he's no Bobby Baun, but who is, these days?

EDIT: On second thought, if Smyth could've played thru his broken leg a few years back, he would have.

[Chadd 916]

Smytty's all about heart but it's a good thing he doesn't play for TO or he'd be just as overrated as everyone else there. Gritty and I'll agree with the 2nd line talent, but he'll show up every night.

I wish more guys played with as much heart as he does.

[beaucoup_fish 0]

Smytty's all about heart but it's a good thing he doesn't play for TO or he'd be just as overrated as everyone else there.  Gritty and I'll agree with the 2nd line talent, but he'll show up every night.

I wish more guys played with as much heart as he does.

Agreed.

[mack 44]

I've seen games where they're being blown out but he's still on the forecheck like it's 0-0, but won't celebrate a goal when they're down by that much.

[beaucoup_fish 0]

Moo-lay

And he also has the best nickname in hockey. :lol:

[McCabe#1 0]

I would beg to differ. Wendel Clark did scare opponents. He hit hard, and was tough to fight, he did very well against Probert. And you can't compare there numbers, because if you look at the teams Clark played on in his prime, it was him and not much else. Wendel Clark's career didn't last long, but that is because what he had to do EVERY night for the Leafs. If any of you have ever seen his hit on the St. Louis Blues player circling behind the net, you will know why he was feared.

[beaucoup_fish 0]

I would beg to differ.  Wendel Clark did scare opponents.  He hit hard, and was tough to fight, he did very well against Probert.  And you can't compare there numbers, because if you look at the teams Clark played on in his prime, it was him and not much else.  Wendel Clark's career didn't last long, but that is because what he had to do EVERY night for the Leafs.  If any of you have ever seen his hit on the St. Louis Blues player circling behind the net, you will know why he was feared.

I have seen that hit. Nice hit. But that doesn't make him feared. I'd say rather that Wendel was respected by his opponents. They knew what they were getting into when they played against Wendel.

I saw Richard Park back in his Anahiem days lay out a guy real good in open ice, but I don't think anyone is scared of him...

Btw, Ryan Smyth does it EVERY night for the Oilers too. He's the team's heart and soul. And I seem to recall this one guy that played with Clark when he was on the Leafs...I think his name was Doug something...

In '92-93 and '93-94, two years in which Clarkie (who was at the time in his mid 20s - or his prime) was with the Leafs, Doug Gilmour notched 127 and 111 points respectively and Dave Andreychuk had 99 in each. Let's not forget a fellow by the name of Mike Gartner, either. I hardly think that qualifies as Wendel "and not much else."

If you think that Smytty is such a terrible comparison to Wendel Clark, who's a better one? And reverse that and tell me who a better point of reference for Ryan Smyth is.

[mack 44]

I became a Leafs fan after Clark was traded so I can't comment other than him being worthless on the NHL 'XX series and looking like a "bear" with that goofy goatee.