C Will Smith - Boston College, NCAA (2023, 4th, SJS)

[Lt Dan]

I still want in him LA so we have all of The Fresh Princes

Hopefully soon...

 

[WarriorofTime]

The fresh prince of the US National Team Development Program, Smith is the team’s top centre. He recently led the American squad to the gold medal at the IIHF Under-18 World Championships. Smith scored nine goals and 11 assists for 20 points in the nine-game tournament. Smith led the tournament in goals and points. He was named Tournament MVP, Best Forward, a tournament All-Star, and a top-three player on the team. This performance came on the heels of an incredible season with the NTDP. He put up 51 goals and 76 assists for 127 points in 60 games.

Smith also played in the 2022 Under-18s, winning a silver medal as an underage player. He put up two goals and two assists in four tournament games. Smith split the 2021-22 season between the NTDP Under-17 and Under-18 teams. He scored 31 goals and 33 assists for 64 points in 63 games. Smith is committed to playing his college hockey for the Boston College Eagles next year. Should he change his mind and go the CHL route, his rights are owned by the Gatineau Olympiques of the QMJHL. They drafted him ninth overall in the 2021 QMJHL American Draft.

Will Smith Scouting Report: 2023 NHL Draft #6

Will Smith Scouting Report: The Fresh Prince of the US NTDP led the American Squad to a gold medal at the recent Under 18s.

lastwordonsports.com

Good writeup overall, but the first three words make your site look a bit non-serious and could deter people from future clicks, just as a friendly heads up.

 

[1909]

Columbus should take him at 3.
Sharks should take Michkov at 4.

YESSS... and Habs would then grab Leo Carlsson !!!!!

 

[LastWordArmy]

Good writeup overall, but the first three words make your site look a bit non-serious and could deter people from future clicks, just as a friendly heads up.

Im sorry that we made a small joke and want to have a little fun in our articles.

Like anything, some people liked the joke and some people dont. Sorry you fall in the second group.

 

[monsieurthibz]

Don't ever change. We always need more humor, and if people can't see it, it's their loss.

edit- forgot to quote, but you get my point !

 

[MS]

I have major questions about whether Smith will actually project/play as a C in the NHL.

He's a massive talent - a Patrick Kane style hot dog with magic hands/vision/creativity and elusive skating - but his motor/three-zone game is very poor for a player with aspirations of quickly getting to the NHL. Constantly blowing the zone early. Big circles when his team loses the puck. Consistently gliding back as the last man behind the play defensively. Low motor, very limited compete level defensively.

To me he looks like a guy cut from the Kane/Gaudreau/Zegras cloth (and yeah Zegras is playing C in the NHL, but the fact he's playing C is one of the reasons Anaheim finished last). Same deal as with Kent Johnson who appears hugely questionable to stay at C right now.

 

[HanSolo]

I have major questions about whether Smith will actually project/play as a C in the NHL.

He's a massive talent - a Patrick Kane style hot dog with magic hands/vision/creativity and elusive skating - but his motor/three-zone game is very poor for a player with aspirations of quickly getting to the NHL. Constantly blowing the zone early. Big circles when his team loses the puck. Consistently gliding back as the last man behind the play defensively. Low motor, very limited compete level defensively.

To me he looks like a guy cut from the Kane/Gaudreau/Zegras cloth (and yeah Zegras is playing C in the NHL, but the fact he's playing C is one of the reasons Anaheim finished last). Same deal as with Kent Johnson who appears hugely questionable to stay at C right now.

Pretty low on the list of factors, but sure. Either way he'll probably be moved to wing to run a one-two punch of Fantilli and McTavish

 

[Stewie Griffin]

I have major questions about whether Smith will actually project/play as a C in the NHL.

He's a massive talent - a Patrick Kane style hot dog with magic hands/vision/creativity and elusive skating - but his motor/three-zone game is very poor for a player with aspirations of quickly getting to the NHL. Constantly blowing the zone early. Big circles when his team loses the puck. Consistently gliding back as the last man behind the play defensively. Low motor, very limited compete level defensively.

To me he looks like a guy cut from the Kane/Gaudreau/Zegras cloth (and yeah Zegras is playing C in the NHL, but the fact he's playing C is one of the reasons Anaheim finished last). Same deal as with Kent Johnson who appears hugely questionable to stay at C right now.

We'll find out when he's drafted. If a team thinks he's a C in the NHL that could be the difference in him going over Carlsson or Michkov. If no team views him as a C then he probably falls lower.

Based on Bob's last rankings though, I would say it sounds like teams think he can be developed into an NHL centre.

 

[CBJx614]

Pretty low on the list of factors, but sure. Either way he'll probably be moved to wing to run a one-two punch of Fantilli and McTavish

When you're drafting a guy to be your 1C franchise guy to build around, those are pretty high on the list of factors...

 

[HanSolo]

When you're drafting a guy to be your 1C franchise guy to build around, those are pretty high on the list of factors...

Zegras was drafted 9th overall. You're not usually looking for franchise 1Cs in that slot, but that's besides the point. There are a multitude of factors that made Anaheim awful this year. Looking at a team leader in scoring who is a sophomore player for the two way game you expect from a center when said two way game is still developing, that's a pretty low consideration on the list.

 

[Reddwit]

It’s the NHL, so his nickname will be “Smith-e” or “Smith-zie.”

Don’t forget “Smitty”

 

[CBJx614]

Zegras was drafted 9th overall. You're not usually looking for franchise 1Cs in that slot, but that's besides the point. There are a multitude of factors that made Anaheim awful this year. Looking at a team leader in scoring who is a sophomore player for the two way game you expect from a center when said two way game is still developing, that's a pretty low consideration on the list.

Sorry misread your quote, didn't see your highlighted part, thought you were talking about Smith.

 

[Bombshell11]

Welcome to Columbus, in all likelihood

No for real, i hope your Management is thinking of grabbing him, there's nothing better than having a local kid develop into a superstar. I think he'll fit CBJ perfectly.

Columbus should take him at 3.
Sharks should take Michkov at 4.

Yes, Smith to CBJ is the best for both the NHL and the club.

Assuming the NHL lottery is rigged, i don't think they'll have an issue arranging this either.

 

[Jargon]

If CBJ takes Smith, I’m 98.9% sure the Sharks take Carlsson. Big, Swedish center will be irresistible.

 

[Grinner]

If CBJ takes Smith, I’m 98.9% sure the Sharks take Carlsson. Big, Swedish center will be irresistible.

Damn right

 

[WarriorofTime]

No for real, i hope your Management is thinking of grabbing him, there's nothing better than having a local kid develop into a superstar. I think he'll fit CBJ perfectly.

He's from Boston, not Ohio

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Welcome to Columbus, in all likelihood

That would be pretty disappointing for Jackets fans imo.

 

[Bombshell11]

He's from Boston, not Ohio

is boston considered a different country?

 

[CBJWerenski8]

That would be pretty disappointing for Jackets fans imo.

Backing off that prediction for now. Initial lottery reaction because of our beat writer.

I think it’s still 50/50 between smith and Carlsson

 

[WarriorofTime]

is boston considered a different country?

I don’t consider Connor McDavid to be a “local kid” for the Oilers.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

is boston considered a different country?

You said "local kid".

Boston is not local to Columbus.

Unless you think there are 25 teams that could draft him as a "local kid"

 

[Boxscore]

If CBJ takes Smith, I’m 98.9% sure the Sharks take Carlsson. Big, Swedish center will be irresistible.

I kind of agree with this. Although I have the Jackets taking Carlsson and the Sharks taking Michkov, if the Jackets opt for Smith, I think the Sharks can't pass on a future Carlsson-Eklund combo meal.

 

[Bombshell11]

I don’t consider Connor McDavid to be a “local kid” for the Oilers.

You said "local kid".

Boston is not local to Columbus.

Unless you think there are 25 teams that could draft him as a "local kid"

You got to pick a player from Sweden, Russia and USA.

In this context it is correct to use the word local boy, i think it was self evident.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

You got to pick a player from Sweden, Russia and USA.

In this context it is correct to use the word local boy, i think it was self evident.

When people talk about drafting a "local kid" it has a specific meaning

 

[Bombshell11]

When people talk about drafting a "local kid" it has a specific meaning

All i know is that if we were in europe, a local kid would be referred to any one part of the same country, regardless of which city he's from.

If columbus doesn't see a fellow american as a local kid under the context of having to draft a swede or a russian, then i think it underlines some fundamental issues with america.