Why the Montreal Canadiens could select dynamic center Will Smith with the the fifth overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Wednesday night.
The Hockey News mock draft projects that the Montreal Canadiens will select Will Smith of the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP) with the fifth overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.
Why pick him? Smith is an elite playmaker, who centered a phenomenal line with fellow top prospects Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault. Smith scored 51 goals, 76 assists for 127 points, second most in NTDP history for points in a single season.
Smith, a Boston College commit, is deceptive, using his cerebral style of play to attract defenders and create plays. He is a skilled, dynamic player who can make his linemates better.
What do scouts say? "He is an elite playmaker, probably one of the most skilled guys in the Draft," said one scout to The Hockey News. "He can do extremely difficult things and make it look easy."
Make no mistake, Smith can dazzle; he is one of the most gifted puck-handers in the Draft. As one scout told me, "If Smith was scouted solely by YouTube clips, he would be considered the best player in the Draft." Suffice to say, he will be featured in many highlight reel goals at the next level.
But scouting entails more than video clips, and that's where some of Smith's flaws can be identified. As a truly skilled player, there is an absence of a physical game, including using his body to make space for himself or extend possession. In addition, there can be a lack of effort, at times, with respect to a defensive game and winning puck battles.
What does Smith say? In April when asked to describe himself, Smith said, "My head is always up. I think my Hockey IQ is my strong suit. I always try to make plays, try to find the open guy. I’m also a shooter, so I can score, too."
Canadiens GM Kent Hughes is very familiar with Smith and his family, having coached the young teenager when he was playing with the Boston Jr. Eagles. "He'd let us know if we weren't playing too well," said Smith about his former youth hockey coach. "He was a really good coach."
Who are other options? Will Will Smith be available when the Hughes steps to the podium in Nashville? If he's gone, that likely means that Montreal will have a decision to make on Russian forward Matvei Michkov (HK Sochi.) Hughes has downplayed the likelihood of selecting Michkov while analysts believe that the Canadiens have forward Ryan Leonard (USNTDP) and defenseman David Reinbacher (Kloten) rated highly on their lists.
Smith would represent a transformative piece to the Canadiens rebuild. "Power, skill, IQ, he's just scratching the surface," said another scout to The Hockey News.
"Obviously, he needs to learn other things to be a pro, but he's got a lot to work with, that's for sure."