from Ansar Khan of Mlive,

“We kind of have two shooters in Fabbs and Zadina, kind of the same type of player, so Smitty would be a net presence, big-body guy (joining) a playmaking center with a shooter in Fabbri,” Blashill said. “That line has gotten chances but they’re a little slight, so you got a big body up there as well. I’m not sure we’re going to stay with it and certainly don’t know if we’ll stay with it within the game but it’s something we wanted to look at.”...

“I think he’s been solid the last three games,” Blashill said. “I think he can be a guy who if he can get consistent in his game and bring what he can bring to the table that’s different from other people, he can be a guy who can help us.”

Smith took several bad penalties early in the season but hasn’t been penalized his past 10 games while trying to balance aggressiveness and discipline.

“It’s something we’ve talked to him about and sometimes you take away some of the aggressiveness,” Blashill said. “We’ll continue to make clear to him that we’d like to see him be a physical presence, which he has been at times last couple of games.

“But there’s a lot more to it with him. Him and I have talked lots about being real good in our zone, being real good with the puck moving up through the ice. He should be a real simple player with the puck moving up through the ice, get it out at our blue line, get it in at their blue line and play in the O-zone, because that’s where he can separate himself. He’s got a unique skill-set when he’s in the O-zone, so let’s get there.”

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