"When he was drafted by San Jose, a large chunk of fans were incredulous that General Manager Mike Grier didn't take Matvei Michkov instead (ignorant of the reality that Michkov almost certainly didn't want to come to the Sharks, given that he said no to Washington and Arizona). When he spent his post-draft year with Boston College, NHL scouts focused on his linemates Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault instead, ignoring the reality that it was Smith's playmaking and play-driving ability carrying the line."
"All of this means we often ignore something: Smith is a really, really good player, with elite, superstar-level production at every pre-NHL level. In most other NHL organizations, he would be the top prospect by a country mile. That the Sharks have Celebrini means that this is not the case in San Jose, but it doesn't change the fact that the team has a uniquely gifted offensive forward, with loads of potential to become a superstar in the league one day."
Will Smith produced elite offensive numbers at every pre-NHL level, including a Boston College freshman record of 71 points in 41 games. Smith frequently faced undervaluation as scouts and fans favored linemates and higher-profile prospects such as Macklin Celebrini and Matvei Michkov. Smith struggled early in his NHL debut but finished the season strongly, scoring 30 points in his last 34 games. Smith is a 6'0", 180-pound, right-shot forward born March 17, 2005, drafted fourth overall in 2023 by the San Jose Sharks. Smith offers vision, creativity, slippery moves, and crafty passing with high upside.
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