All he has to do is earn his way up the depth chart like DOC did. Don't act like DOC spent the whole year on Crosby's line.

If the Pens don't sign a big wing to replace Guentzel, I wouldn't be shocked if DOC does end up back there again and has a bigger year. Might even get Carter's PP time.
- Tojo.

I fully expect this.

I fully expect this.
- 10inchTerror

If Smith is still here I’d hope it’s his spot to lose.

Can’t believe Grinder hasn’t found a way to explain how Guentzel decking Fox last night makes him a wussy yet.

Honestly I think Harkins can handle the rigors of 4th line a lot better than DOC. Probably why he wasn’t elevated even though he clearly has better offensive instincts. Unfortunately Harkins can also forecheck better than DOC as well. Kind of screwed himself.
- Grinder47

So Harkins is too good at forechecking to move off the fourth line. Got it. (he's definitely not that good at it)

So Harkins is too good at forechecking to move off the fourth line. Got it. (he's definitely not that good at it)
- Tojo.

The Harkins stuff is pure bait. He does none of the things Grinder admires or advocates for. He just hates DOC and uses Harkins as a silly way to rile people on here up whenever DOC gets praise.

The Harkins stuff is pure bait. He does none of the things Grinder admires or advocates for. He just hates DOC and uses Harkins as a silly way to rile people on here up whenever DOC gets praise.
- Victoro311

Of course, but I'm bored

If Smith is still here I’d hope it’s his spot to lose.
- Grinder47

He lost it last year bub

He lost it last year bub
- Tojo.

DOC lost it to Smith as the Pens were chasing down a playoff spot as well. Problem is DOC also sucked on the third line and at least Crosby could bank some passes off his useless stick.

DOC lost it to Smith as the Pens were chasing down a playoff spot as well. Problem is DOC also sucked on the third line and at least Crosby could bank some passes off his useless stick.
- Grinder47

Lol Smith had one good game with Sid then lasted about a period and was back on the third line the next game. Did you even watch the games?

Lol Smith had one good game with Sid then lasted about a period and was back on the third line the next game. Did you even watch the games?
- Tojo.

Please explain to me in detail why it makes sense to play Smith with Eller regularly and DOC with Sid and Rust regularly, but when your team is on desperate need of offense you switch DOC and Smith? I know the reason why.

Lol Smith had one good game with Sid then lasted about a period and was back on the third line the next game. Did you even watch the games?
- Tojo.

Actually Smith bumped up to Crosby’s line for the 2nd and 3rd period. I belied had a goal and an assist and started the next game back on the 3rd line.

Actually Smith bumped up to Crosby’s line for the 2nd and 3rd period. I belied had a goal and an assist and started the next game back on the 3rd line.
- Grinder47

Please one time latch onto a player that’s actually good. Going to bat for Smith after the season he just had is insane. Was completely ineffective and widely reported that he doesn’t want to be here and has been a bit of a female dog about it. We don’t need a hostage in the locker room.

Please one time latch onto a player that’s actually good. Going to bat for Smith after the season he just had is insane. Was completely ineffective and widely reported that he doesn’t want to be here and has been a bit of a female dog about it. We don’t need a hostage in the locker room.
- Victoro311

Crosby is good. Oh and Smith>DOC.

Crosby is good. Oh and Smith>DOC.
- Grinder47

Who cares. Smith doesn’t want to be here and plays like it.

Who cares. Smith doesn’t want to be here and plays like it.
- Victoro311

So what’s DOC’s excuse?

DOC lost it to Smith as the Pens were chasing down a playoff spot as well. Problem is DOC also sucked on the third line and at least Crosby could bank some passes off his useless stick.
- Grinder47

Actually Smith bumped up to Crosby’s line for the 2nd and 3rd period. I belied had a goal and an assist and started the next game back on the 3rd line.
- Grinder47

So first DOC lost his spot to Smith. Then Smith got bumped down to the third line next game. Which is it?

It'll be interesting to see if they do move Smith. He was not good last year, but he's in a contract year this coming season. Last chance at serious money tends to result in players having one-year production booms.

This just means I'd not undersell on him too much, since even if he doesn't want to play for PIT he'd still likely produce for us next year.

Please explain to me in detail why it makes sense to play Smith with Eller regularly and DOC with Sid and Rust regularly, but when your team is on desperate need of offense you switch DOC and Smith? I know the reason why.
- Grinder47

Do you really need random line juggling to get a spark explained to you?

Smith scored about half his goals the first month of the season, then disappeared for five months. DOC shouldn't have been able to out perform him, but he did. That's on Smith for sucking so bad he got demoted. He had plenty of opportunities in the top six but kept being invisible.

If Smith is still here I’d hope it’s his spot to lose.
- Grinder47

Hope in one hand. poop in the other. Sully.

Do you really need random line juggling to get a spark explained to you?

Smith scored about half his goals the first month of the season, then disappeared for five months. DOC shouldn't have been able to out perform him, but he did. That's on Smith for sucking so bad he got demoted. He had plenty of opportunities in the top six but kept being invisible.
- Tojo.

Ok. So you really have no clue about hockey. Do you own a jersey that says Big Ben on it?

Please explain to me in detail why it makes sense to play Smith with Eller regularly and DOC with Sid and Rust regularly, but when your team is on desperate need of offense you switch DOC and Smith? I know the reason why.
- Grinder47

From multiple media reports, Smith pouted about coming to Pittsburgh and didn't exactly hide his feelings. His team mates thought his dissatisfaction seeped into his effort. Rumors floated around that Dubas was willing or actively trying to trade him, but found no takers. Eff him.

After his 1st month, he was a ghost most games. Why should a coach reward that?

Ok. So you really have no clue about hockey. Do you own a jersey that says Big Ben on it?
- Grinder47

No answer, assumed you'd get there

From multiple media reports, Smith pouted about coming to Pittsburgh and didn't exactly hide his feelings. His team mates thought his dissatisfaction seeped into his effort. Rumors floated around that Dubas was willing or actively trying to trade him, but found no takers. Eff him.

After his 1st month, he was a ghost most games. Why should a coach reward that?
- madmike71

Because grinder arbitrarily decides who’s a female dog and who’s not a female dog and whether or not they actually are a female dog in real life has no baring on who should be rewarded or not according to Grinder

It'll be interesting to see if they do move Smith. He was not good last year, but he's in a contract year this coming season. Last chance at serious money tends to result in players having one-year production booms.

This just means I'd not undersell on him too much, since even if he doesn't want to play for PIT he'd still likely produce for us next year.
- MickV

I've been kicking this around since you said it. Because normally I think you're right, Smith needs to have a bounce back next year to get paid. So regardless of if he likes being here, he should be more motivated.

But it's hard not to smell last year's stench. And if there is any truth to his teammates feeling he had a poor attitude, it's hard to bring him back.

No answer, assumed you'd get there
- Tojo.

I already told you what happened. Smith played the second and 3rd period with Crosby’s line and made 2 nice plays resulting in assists and helping win the game. Then next game the lines went back to Smith with Eller. What was so hard to understand about that? I was wondering about your perception of that. You seem to just repeat the poop the broadcasters on Pburgh sportsnet say.