Smid and Grebeshkov to get a bird's eye view of the season opener

STORY

While Ladislav Smid and Denis Grebeshkov were a little risky in their own end in training camp, Tom Gilbert picked up right where he left off late last season, when he stood out in an emergency relief effort.

That's why Gilbert is skating with Dick Tarnstrom as Edmonton's third defence pair, while Smid and Grebeshkov will likely start the season as Nos. 7 and 8.

"You have to say that Gilbert deserves an opportunity," said MacTavish.

"And he'll likely get that Thursday night."

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I understand Grebeshkov, who will get better as the season progresses, but I just don't understand what the bag of suck (as a player, not as a person) in Matt Greene is doing over Ladislav Smid on the depth chart.

Size in hockey is akin to left handed pitchers in baseball, it seems. Opportunities, sometimes undeserving.

Or perhaps Greene is being showcased for trade?