Coyotes Player Spotlight: G Mike Smith
He was a goalie that put his team on his back and took them for a ride through the playoffs. He has made impossible saves look easy, and the easy saves look impossible.
Mike Smith was drafted in the 5th round of the 2005 NHL Draft by the Dallas Stars. Smith played in the EHL and AHL for several years before making his NHL debut in October of 2006. He was the back up for his two years in Dallas and in February of 2008 was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
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Smith suffered some injuries during his stint with the Lightning and in 2011 the Lightning put him on waivers, where he was assigned to the AHL. He came back to the Lighting the next season but as a back up to Dwayne Roloson. At the end of the 2010-2011 season, Smith decided to not return to Tampa Bay.
On July 1, 2011 Mike Smith signed a two-year contract with the Phoenix Coyotes. Smith impressed not only the team but also fans, in his first season, as he led the Coyotes to the playoffs. The franchise won their first ever playoff series since 1987 when they were the Winnipeg Jets.
Smith and the Coyotes beat the Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators on their way to a Western Conference Finals’ berth. Though the Coyotes lost their series to the Los Angeles Kings, Smith posted 1.99 goals against average and .944 save percentage.
Mike Smith has been a key piece of the Coyotes, so on July 5, 2013 Smith singed a six-year contract extension. Since his contract extension Smith has been average, giving fans something to cheer for at time, while making them groan other times.
One of the most rare things that have happened to a goalie is to score a goal, and Smith was able to do just that on October 13th, 2013. He took a shot from his own crease against the Detroit Red Wings that made it in with .1 seconds left. But Smith is also remembered for his ‘butt goal’ against the Buffalo Sabers only tow months later. He scored a goal on himself in overtime, when the puck hopped up and went into his pants and he slid into the net. Smith can make fans bow in admiration at times, while making them hit their knees in the same game.
Mar 14, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes goalie Mike Smith (41) signals to teammates during the third period against the New Jersey Devils at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
He struggled last season going through stints where he was unable to stop even the easiest shots. Smith played in 62 games, with a 14-42-5. In 2014-2015 he had some of the worst numbers in the NHL with the 42nd worst goals against average (3.16) and the 39th worst in save percentage (.904). No all was Smith’s fault often he had little defensive help and was sometimes left alone to get the puck out of the zone. He began to look more like his playoff self in late March, but it was too late.
Going into the 2015-2016 season it is all Mike Smith. He is coming off an outstanding performance for Canada in the World Cup, helping them to a gold medal. Smith talked in late April that he would change his offseason work out in order to have a better start to the season. October is one of Smith’s worst months, having a 3.96 GAA and .866 save percentage. He admits that his early season struggles impact his confidence later in the season.
After his performance at the World Cup, Smith should be on a high and look to perform well for the Coyotes. Look for Smith to follow the puck better and use his new offseason training to help the team work their way back to the playoffs.