Hiller or Smith

[arctic_rogue]

For the dynasty league in my signature, I have been offered Smith for my Hiller.

My initial reaction is no thanks, but should I give it more thought?

[bondon]

I'm having a difficult time pegging the value of both of these guys for the coming season tbh, but the biggest thing that stands out to me right now is it feels like both goalies are playing for teams trending in opposite directions.

The Ducks were so garbage last year they can really only go up at this point...and the Coyotes are such a mess after this off-season that I think they can only go down at this point.

Could go either way..at this point I would still go Smith I think because the system they play protects his ratios...but I'm really not all that sure of myself. (Hell, since when am I ever with goalie threads )

[Call of Doughty]

I would still go Smith I think because the system they play protects his ratios...

Smith for me: 8SO, 2.21 GGA, .914 SV% (both lower in the playoffs)
Hiller: 4SO, 2.57 GGA, .910 SV%

Stats are similar, it's more of a matter of personal preference for me. Burke has done wonders for Smith's #s and he seems comfortable in the desert.
Under Tippet, I think the coyotes will be just fine.

[arctic_rogue]

Anyone else guys? I'm more on the fence now than before and can really use some input.

[Call of Doughty]

Anyone else guys?

Better send out a signal flare!! What are you racking your brain about???

[arctic_rogue]

Better send out a signal flare!! What are you racking your brain about???

I like to avoid the recency effect whenever possible. Hiller is more proven and I'm afraid that Smith could turn out to be significantly worse than last season.

[bondon]

Hiller is more proven and I'm afraid that Smith could turn out to be significantly worse than last season.

Yeah see, that's where I'm kind of flip-flopping in my head.

Hiller
Pros - Anaheim has to be better than last year. They just have to lol.
- Starts a large amount of games
- Fantastic scheduling puts him on most off-nights so conflicts are rare.
- Relatively proven compared to Smith.
Cons - What if Anaheim still kind of sucks, could have a bad impact on your loss column.
- Injury risk? Managed to avoid issues this past season with concussions but who knows this year.

Smith
Pros - Plays behind a good system that protects him well
- Goalie coach knows how to get the most out of him
- Seemed like he's very determined to prove people wrong
- Starts a large amount of games.
Cons - Phoenix is a major cluster**** in my eyes right now. Ownership issues could pose a distraction,
- Don't see Phoenix being as good as they were last year. Lost some players that played well for them (Whitney, Aucoin, Pyatt...soon to be Doan).

Risk either way really.

[Ross The Boss Palmer]

Given Phoenix's ownership situation and the Doan uncertainty, I would be very hesitant at trading for Smith at this time. Hopefully Hiller should have no ill effects this season from his previous bout with vertigo. Smith played fantastic this season, but it was only one season and he is much more of a risk. I would stand pat until more information is known.

[Domi's Homey]

I'd say Hiller is the safe bet because you can more accurately predict his numbers based on consistency over the last few years.
Smith is a risk because his best numbers by far came only last season since he benefitted from a solid system in front of him led by coach Tippett.
If you're thinking long term, if either of these guys moves on to a new team, it seems clear that Hiller is the more skilled and talented. Smith simply hasn't proven himself as a star player outside of Phoenix's system.
Hiller gets my vote.

[3rtpaper]

I like Smith, every year people say Pheonix won't be any good and every year they surprise people it seems.

Good system that plays to its strength in defense. I like Smith

[CallMeJerry]

Smith over Hiller, not even close.

People are having doubts about Smith?

I agree Hiller is safer to predict. He was terrible last season and he'll be terrible next season. Anaheim is a total shambles. Their defence was god-awful with Visnovsky - now they don't even have him. And what about the vertigo?!?!?

Phoenix has OEL/Yandle/Michalek/Klesla/Morris - that is a nice D. With Rundblad/Gormley/Goncharov on the way. And the way Tippett coaches forwards are like the Borg. It doesn't matter who he puts in there - they all do their jobs.

[Shoeless]

When in doubt, do nothing. I would rather regret a trade I didn't make than one I did make.

Tough call here really - Smith has a year to flash but it was a damn good one - says to me he is real. Hiller is damn good but the Ducks haven't been real helpful lately. Got some goalies in the pipeline in Anaheim as well so who knows. I am a Hiller owner and quite content to hang onto him - but this offer is tempting.