Edmonton's Ladislav Smid has shown the poise of a veteran in his first year at the NHL level.

The second piece of this summer's blockbuster deal between the Edmonton Oilers and Anaheim Ducks for defenseman Chris Pronger isn't a high-profile hometown boy like Joffrey Lupul. But defenseman Ladislav Smid will be just as valuable.

People tend to forget that Anaheim drafted the 6-foot-3, 205-pound defenseman with the ninth-overall selection in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft and Smid is widely considered to be one of the top defensive prospects in the League.

Mature and savvy, Smid, a Czech Republic native, already has played three years of pro hockey, which is beyond most of his peers.

At first glance, this imposing young man looks more like a raw recruit at basic training than a hockey player, thanks to his clean-shaven look and ominous glare. But once you speak to Smid, a big smile crosses his face, making him look like a kid who just got a new pair of skates and can’t wait to try them out.

Although this is his first NHL season, Smid has played like a seasoned veteran, not wasting energy and making smart, efficient plays both with and without the puck. Smid is quick to credit veteran partner Steve Staios with helping to ease his transition, which has seen him pick up two assists in 22 games thus far.

“He (Steve Staios) helps me out a lot," Smid said. "He is a great player with a lot of experience in the NHL and the national team and he is always talking to me on the ice.”

Staios, now in the role of mentor, laughed, saying he didn't want Smid to hear his remarks, otherwise he might get a swelled head.

“He is ready, there is no doubt he is ready, but you expect because he is 20 years old he will make some mistake’s out there, but he doesn't. He has come in with great composure and skill set," Staios said. "I think where he is different from any other young defenseman is that he understands the game a lot better than anyone his age that I have seen, so he is well on his way."

Oilers assistant coach and longtime NHL defenseman Charlie Huddy agreed with Staios.

"You know what, so far, so good," Huddy said. "He has done a lot of good things and he has a lot of quality to his game right now. He is a smart player and he understands the game. He is learning every day and at this point, has played real well for us."

Looking back over the past three seasons, you can begin to understand how Smid has matured and developed at such a rapid rate. At 17, when the majority of his peers were in junior, Smid was playing against men with his team, HC Liberec, in the Czech Republic. In 88 games from 2003 to 2005, he earned his stripes playing a quiet, conservative role. He picked up just six points and 65 penalty minutes.


Smid, who was drafted ninth overall by the Ducks in 2004, is regarded as one of the game's top defensive prospects.

Smid made the jump to professional hockey in North America last season, suiting up for the AHL's Portland Pirates, where he continued to impress. In 71 games, Smid had 28 points along with 48 penalty minutes and a respectable plus-14 plus/minus rating.

Considering the differences in the style of game and rink size, Smid made a quick adjustment to the North American game, but noted it was tough early on.

"The smaller rink is much harder as you have to make quick plays and passes and you have no time,” he said.

The advantage he felt coming into the NHL this season was from his accumulated experiences in the AHL last year and his three appearances at the World Junior Championship.

"I think it was a both the AHL and the WJC experience that has helped me with the different opponents and skills you have to face and all the rinks you have to adapt and play in."

Not make it sound all too easy, Smid noted that the speed of the NHL game could not be overstated, nor the talent level of the players.

“The speed of the game and the players is the biggest difference from the AHL to the NHL and the key play for me is to always make a quick first pass," he said.

Considering his array of professional experience in the Czech League, the AHL, and now the NHL, Smid made it clear he wants to play with and against the best -- and that is in the NHL.
“I like playing in the NHL more than Europe because the NHL is the best league in the world."

Smid is a pretty good defencemen. I'm quite glad they managed to pick him up. He definitely doesn't cover the gapping hole left behind when Pronger left, but he's good now, and only going to get much, much better.