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# Ben Smith is back in action, centring the Leafs fourth line
- URL: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/ben-smith-is-back-in-action-centring-the-leafs-fourth-line/
- Published: 2017-02-02T21:08:16.000Z
- Updated: 2017-02-02T21:08:16.000Z
- Description: OMG! Ben Smith.
- Author: Cathy Squires
- Tags: #chorus, #Import 2023-04-05 11:27

> With [Ben Smith](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/109119/ben-smith?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) recovered from injury, the [#leafs](https://twitter.com/hashtag/leafs?src=hash&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) have sent [Frederik Gauthier](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/198381/frederik-gauthier?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) back to the AHL Marlies.
> 
> — Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) [2 February 2017](https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/827252483475042305?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) 

Yesterday at practice, Mike Babcock tried out some lines similar to what he used in the later stages of the debacle in Dallas. [The details are in the preview](http://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/2017/2/2/14483880/the-new-coach-blues-preview-toronto-maple-leafs-lines-start-time-how-to-watch).

If they get used tonight it marks a change in philosophy of line construction, but while that's fascinating, we're not here to talk about that.

We're here to talk about the return of Ben Smith. I was going to dig up some stats and numbers and charts, but I firmly believe that very low minute players need their results looked at with a strong sense of their usage. Low minutes and skewed usage via zone and opponents as well as lower quality of teammates makes these players atypical.

That seemed like a lot of work, so I'll make a poll instead...

### Who would you rather played the important position of 4C on the Leafs?

| Frederik Gauthier                                                  | 268 |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------ | --- |
| Ben Smith                                                          | 58  |
| Byron Froese                                                       | 62  |
| Yes those really are the choices, no Seth Griffith is not a centre | 58  |