Ladislav Smid 10-11: When The Deal Goes Down

Ladislav Smid has played a lot of NHL games for such a young man. 331 games into an NHL career, he's 25 years old. If his skill level allows it, Smid could play 1,500 games in the best league on the planet. Long time readers of this blog know that I have (at various times) suggested the Oilers might consider trading Smid. Reasons given by others suggest I'm impatient or that Smid's abilities are too subtle for the aged to grasp. Neither is the reason. My reasoning has to do with "giving up something of value when getting something of value in return" and "replacement level." Simply put, Ladislav Smid is a pretty famous hockey player--still young, still affordable--who does things that many other players in the blue pool can duplicate. He's an ideal trade asset. His years of playing in other rinks have shown opposition General Managers that he's mobile, tough, healthy and willing. Should the Oilers trade him, Smid's range of skills are reas...