CBJ Draft Prospect - Will Smith

When it comes to who the Columbus Blue Jackets should draft with the No. 3 overall pick later this month, the majority of fans will say Adam Fantilli or Leo Carlsson. However there is a small faction of people who would like to see the Jackets select Will Smith, an 18-year-old center out of Lexington, MA. 

In his first full year on the US NDTP U18, he tallied 127 points, 51 of which were goals in 60 games played. In the 2021-22 season, while playing for both the U17 team, and U18, he put together 64 points in 63 games.

Even with those numbers, Smith has detractors. Critics say that although he did put up a lot of points, he was playing against mostly kids. Although understandable, 127 points is nothing to shake your head at. Other critics will say his linemates are the reason for his success. 

Smith does have his fans however. As time goes by and we get closer to the draft, more and more fans find themselves wanting the CBJ to draft Smith. Scouts and draft experts love him, as seen from the quotes below.

Evan Pace- Dobber Prospects - Oct. 20th: "Smith is a crafty playmaking forward with legitimate scoring and two-way upside. He works hard off the puck and attacks with intent, utilizing his puck skills to beat defenders one on one and create space for himself and his teammates."

Austin Garret - Smaht Scouting - Nov. 25th: "Will Smith in the offensive zone with the puck on his stick is a defenseman’s ankles worst nightmare. His ability to use his small area skill to dangle through and around defenders is one of the best in the class."

Tony Ferrari - The Hockey News - Dec. 19th: "Smith is a slick dual-threat attacker who can create offense for himself and his teammates. When Smith is cutting and dashing through the middle of the ice, he draws attention as defenders feel the need to assist their teammates who are generally a step behind and making a desperation play themselves."

To see The Hockey News Tony Ferrari's Final Draft Rankings, click here

As you can see from the quotes, analysts and scouts love this kid and see him as a player that could be a top center in the NHL. 

So why do some people not like him in the top 3? It seems to be a combination of his experience, playing against younger kids, and the fact that he's not a strong 2 way player. Another downside noted by some, is that he tries to be too "flashy" instead of making the correct read. There's no denying that Will Smith is a good player, and some of the hate he gets in completely unfounded, but such is life as a young NHL prospect. In a draft with Connor Bedard, Leo Carlsson and Adam Fantilli, its going to be hard for anyone to stack up against those 3.

Will Smith has committed to Boston College for next season, so whoever decides to draft him, they won't see him for at least a year, maybe more. So what team will take him? The majority of CBJ fans think he's not coming to Columbus via the draft, and they're probably right.

So what will Jarmo do? Go with a guy that is NHL ready, or wait a year or more for Will Smith? Smith is going to make some team and their fans very happy in a few years, just probably not in Columbus.