Smith making his mark in Tampa Bay
/Andrew's Dallas Stars Page
A year ago Mike Smith had what he describes as the toughest job in hockey. Now, he's got what he considers a dream gig - the No.1 goaltending job on an NHL team.
"It's a dream come true," said Smith, whose Tampa Bay Lightning will take on the Dallas Stars Monday night at the St. Pete Times Forum. "I think I said it over and over - the hardest position in hockey is to be a backup goalie. You get a chance to play every couple weeks and if you perform you don't get a chance for another couple weeks, and if you falter they are nervous to put you in there.
"I've taken the ball and run with it here. I think it's easier to play all the time and not worry about when your next start is going to be. It's been easier for me to transfer from a guy who didn't play a lot to a guy who gets to play quite a bit."
Smith excelled during his time as a backup to Marty Turco in Dallas and that earned him a shot as the No. 1 job with the Lightning, who acquired the 26-year-old at last season's trade deadline in the deal that brought center Brad Richards to Dallas. It was tough to get traded and move on, but it was a move that moved him forward.
"It was better for my career that I got a chance to play and obviously with Marty there I wasn't going to get that chance," said Smith.
Turco said he knew it was tough for Smith to leave. He wanted to stay with the Stars who were on a roll at the time of the trade, but at the same time he was also getting a shot at the top job in another organization.
"We knew we wouldn't play together for ever," said Turco. "I knew he was going to be good. He wanted to play but he didn't want to leave our Cup run last year. He was real disappointed. He wanted to fly, but he wanted to see it through. That's a testament to him."
Smith was seen as a potential goalie of the future for the Lightning when they made the deal, and he hasn't disappointed. He's played 36 games this season and ranks 12th in the league in save percentage (.920) and 15th in goals against average (2.50) playing behind a team that has had its defensive issues at times. Smith has faced the third most shots on goal in the league at 1,128 and the only two guys ahead of him have played more games.
And getting a chance to play on regular basis has helped Smith become a better goalie, a more consistent goalie. That consistency was a goal for him coming into this season.
"You always want to get better. I think I've struggled with consistency and that might be from not playing a whole lot," Smith said. "I think this year I am getting the opportunity to play a lot and the coaches seem to have confidence in me and in those circumstances I can go out there and perform at my best. I think for the most part I've done and I am just going to continue to work on my game and try to continue to do that."
The season hasn't gone as planned for the Lightning as a team. There were high expectations with new ownership, a new coach and several new players.
"It was a tough start to the season," said Smith. "It didn't work out the way we had hoped."
Coach Barry Melrose got canned 16 games into the season and was replaced by Rich Tocchet. The struggles didn't end immediately, but things have started to turn around lately. The team's play has improved and the Lightning, who are 14-21-10 on the season overall, are 7-5-1 in their last 13 games.
"As of late we've played a lot better," said Smith. "With the coaching change it helped our team a lot. We've played a lot better as a team. We've played a lot better system-wise and we are finding ways to win hockey games, and that's the important thing."
And that sets the stage for Monday's game against his former team and a lot of guys who are close friends.
"It's exciting. I'm sure I'll be nervous at the same time," he said. "I grew up in that organization and had a lot of great friends. It's going to be a different feeling, but at the same time I am excited for a chance to play against some of my best buddies."
Among those buddies is Turco, the guy he backed up in Dallas and the guy he developed a very strong friendship with during his time in the Stars' organization.
"I wouldn't be where I am today without a guy like that. It wasn't just pretend. We have a great relationship, not just on the ice but off the ice," Smith said. "Everyone knows I was invited into his house and was invited to live with his family for a few months. I was very fortunate to have a guy like that when I came into the league. It's helped me be a better goalie and it's helped me be a better person. That's all because of him."
Turco said the bond he and Smith developed during their time together in Dallas will last well beyond their playing days in the NHL.
"He reminded me a lot of myself," said Turco. "You never know about those relationships you gather over the years you are playing, but Mike, when it's all said and done, we'll still be hanging out."
And that will make Monday's matchup special.
"It will be fun," said Turco. "It will be more winks and smiles than gnarls and scowls."
Said Smith: "It's going to be different. It's going to be exciting. It's going to be nerve-wracking."
