2023 NHL Draft: Getting to know Will Smith

Will Smith’s selection at 4th overall instantly places him as one of the Sharks’ top prospects. He is the highest pick the Sharks have made since the franchise selected Patrick Marleau 2nd overall in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft and the highest since 2003 when San Jose picked Milan Michalek at 6th overall. Here, we will examine what the hype is all about, plus what and when we can expect of Smith’s development in the near future.

We know there is a lot to be excited about. Amongst U.S. National Team Development Program (USNTDP) forwards in their draft year, only New Jersey Devils superstar Jack Hughes had more points per game than Smith. The list of players Smith and Hughes lead only includes some of the most exciting young American forwards in the game today: Trevor Zegras, Mat Boldy, Cole Caufield, Dylan Larkin and top prospect Logan Cooley. As a center, Smith can be expected to work as a responsible offensive catalyst for San Jose for years to come.

Position: Center
Age: 18
Date of Birth: March 17, 2005
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 172 lbs.
Shoots: Right
U18 World Juniors: 7 games, 20 points (9 G, 11 A)
US National U18 Team: 60 games, 127 points (51 G, 76 A)
2023-24 team: Boston College

What do the scouts say about Smith’s game?

Smith has good skating and makes space for himself when he uses his full stride in combination with his sharp anticipation according to the Hockey Writers. He is also capable of using his edges well. He has a proven ability to finish on opportunities as well. Smith scored 51 goals in 60 games last season with the USNTDP, thanks to his good shot release and placement.

All of this is important, but alone might not justify a draft selection this high, especially in a draft class this talented. Outside of those fundamental hockey skills of skating and shooting, Smith is best known for his puck handling and vision. That elite playmaking hockey sense and stickhandling ability are what set him apart from other skaters available to the Sharks at 4th overall and why Sharks fans should be excited to track his development over the next few years.

If you get a chance, watch some of his highlights in these videos:

One thing you will quickly realize is Smith’s combination of quick decision-making and skilled puck handling. Of course, he won’t have this much room on a regular basis in professional hockey, but the talent is there. Given his elite hockey sense, it is not difficult to imagine Smith finding a way to create offensive opportunities even in a tighter-checking game. His ability with the puck allows him to create space for himself, putting the puck in a better position to pass or shoot from. This will be important in a league like the NHL, where the opposition will know where to place their bodies and sticks at a more consistent and quicker rate.

The Sharks, now without Timo Meier and potentially without Erik Karlsson in the near future, will mostly have to look inward for the next wave of offensive production. The team’s prospect pool’s scoring potential has certainly been jolted upward with Smith’s playmaking and creativity in its depths. He is projected to one day be a highly capable top line center, with perhaps even 90 point potential.

What’s next for Smith?

What’s next for our newest Shark? Smith is set to begin his freshman season at Boston College this coming fall, which is just about 30 minutes from his hometown of Lexington, Massachusetts. Joining him will be his USNTDP teammates Ryan Leonard (the younger brother of former Sharks’ prospect John Leonard) and Gabe Perreault, who were both also drafted in the 1st round last week.

Having linemates and friends alongside should help Smith in his adjustment to college, where Smith will have time to develop the rest of his game. He is not considered to be NHL ready just yet; it is widely considered that Smith will have to bulk up a bit before making the jump. One common critique of Smith’s game is that he perhaps isn’t physical enough, but it may be the case that he hasn’t felt the need to be too physical in his junior games just yet. Gaining some muscle and confidence against slightly older players in college hockey should bring his game to another level of edge that is required for success in NHL hockey.

It has been refreshing to see clips of Smith skating at the Sharks development camp this week.

Will Smith putting in work today & a first look in teal 👀🦈 pic.twitter.com/X6uFuZ9k6q

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) July 4, 2023

All eyes were on Smith at the Prospects Scrimmage on July 6 at TechCU Arena. Smith had a takeaway during the game which he turned into a goal.

ya, we could get used to this 😏🔥#SJSharks | @_willsmith2 pic.twitter.com/PbXCFeeOxB

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) July 7, 2023

General Manager Mike Grier has now added a blue chip prospect to a pool that includes William Eklund, Thomas Bordeleau, Filip Bystedt and Shakir Mukhamadullin. The new talent and potential of a Sharks team in the mid to late 2020s is now taking form.