San Jose Sharks Director of Player Development Todd Marchant met with media members last night and gave his assessment of top prospect Will Smith.
San Jose Sharks Director of Player Development Todd Marchant met with media members last night and gave his assessment of top prospect Will Smith.
San Jose Sharks Director of Player Development Todd Marchant met with media members last night and gave his assessment of top prospect Will Smith.
Smith was drafted No. 4 overall at the 2023 NHL Draft and is widely considered the Sharks' top-rated prospect.
"I don't think there's any question that Will has the hockey sense and the skill level to play in the National Hockey League," Marchant said.
Smith was drafted highly due to his hockey IQ. He possesses elite hands and an above-average shot, but what stands out most is his ability to get into the right places on the ice.
He has a feel for the game that only the top NHL players have.
Smith's ability to think the game should only make him more successful as a center. The Sharks haven't had an elite No. 1 center of Smith's caliber since they first acquired Joe Thornton. Currently, the plan is to keep Smith at center when he makes the jump to professional hockey.
"At the World Juniors, I don't know the exact numbers, but he was one of the best faceoff guys in the tournament. He paid attention to the details of the game. If you're going to be a centerman, you gotta be good on faceoffs. Otherwise, the coach is not gonna put you out there," Marchant said. "He played a good 200-foot game in that tournament. He's played that way at Boston College as well. You put all that stuff together; he's gonna probably start there. He may finish there. I don't know, but his play will dictate that."
Smith is having a terrific season with Boston College. He has 13 goals and 18 assists while centering the team's "Freshman Line."
Marchant referenced his conversation with Smith at World Juniors to fans attending the State of the Sharks event and again with the media afterward.
"I challenged him at the World Juniors. I just said I the big players on the big stage step up, and I thought he did," Marchant said. "He told me that in his combine meetings with other teams, he talked about when the big games are there, he says I show up. I'm that guy. [I] relish those opportunities."
Smith's BC Eagles are currently ranked No. 2 in the nation and are among the top picks to win the NCAA tournament. The Beanpot will be Smith's first opportunity to appear on a big stage since the WJC.
The Beanpot is a yearly tournament between BC, Boston University, Northeastern, and Harvard.
"[I told him] you got another opportunity in the Beanpot," Marchant said. "For Boston kids, that's the biggest show out there. Then, obviously, whatever happens with the NCAA tournament. They've got a good team, a good young team. He's on a good line. He's got two good linemates, so he's in a great spot."
With the Cutter Gauthier drama about not wanting to play for the Philadelphia Flyers, Sharks media asked Marchant about Smith's excitement about coming to San Jose. Marchant said, "I think so," with passion.
As Grier mentioned, there will also be conversations between Smith, Smith's agent, and the organization regarding whether he will turn pro after his freshman season. It also depends on when his season might end.
"It's a conversation we'll have to have with him, his family, and coaches," Marchant said. I'll use an Anaheim player, Trevor Zegras. He went to BU for one year and then turned pro, and he's a pretty good NHL player. It's not uncommon for these guys to be able to do that."
For now, Sharks fans can enjoy the excitement Smith brings to his BC Eagles.
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