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

[bsu]

I think Cooley and Smith are similar type prospects. I think Cooley should have went #1 last year and that shows how good this draft really is. Gun to my head I'd take Cooley over Smith.

 

[Goldenhands]

Maybe I've just caught the wrong games of him but I've been underwhelmed every time I've seen him play. His defense and motor are questionable and even offensively he's more of a connector of play rather than a driver of play. He undoubtedly is a very skilled player with very good instincts offensively but I've been more impressed by Oliver Moore anytime I watch the U18s.

I see the same things, I have Moore as their best all around player. Smith needs to hit the gym big time, he badly lacks strength and stamina, but if he puts all the efforts, could become a great pts producer in the NHL after some seasoning. In term of strength he is at least 2 yrs away from the NHL.

How do we think Smith compares to Cooley as a prospect? I think most people agree the top four this year would all have gone 1OA last year, but where do we think Smith would have fallen?

Cooley had a fantastic motor while Smith motor is very low. The player who compares the most to Cooley is Moore.

 

[Goldenhands]

I like Cooley’s game more than Smith’s.
Both have great talent. Smith can be a bit inconsistent with his effort. When I watched Cooley play last year, he looked every bit like a top pick every game he played. Cooley has an absolute phenomenal motor and is always trying to make a play.

Smith is a player with phenomenal skill. But, Cooley is just a better play driver at this point. Cooley is the type of center that truly amplifies his teammates. Will Smith is able to drive play, but sometimes relies too much on his linemates.

That being said, it’s close in terms of who is the better player. Both have great speed, skill, and passing ability.

Just looking at their draft years. I’d draft these players in this order:
1. Logan Cooley
2. Will Smith
3. Ryan Leonard
4. Frank Nazar
5. Oliver Moore
6. Lane Hutson
7. Cutter Gauthier
8. Gabe Perreault
9. Seamus Casey
10. Rutger McGroarty

Smith is an average skater, his foot speed needs alot of work, Cooley was a much better skater.

 

[MichaelFarrell]

I know this is kinda off topic but what makes you put Leonard over Nazar and Moore? Other's I can understand.

Leonard all day for me. I’ve seen all three of those players extensively. I love Leonard as a player. He has all the tools you’d want in an NHL player pretty much.

Nazar is a great player. He has a lot of skill and an excellent shot that is really appealing and Moore has great hands, solid motor, and plays a two-way game to complement his ability as a playmaker.

But, I think Leonard has game breaking ability, a great shot, and good hands to go along with his physicality and willingness to go to the hard areas. He’s a complete player and I think he projects really well to being a dynamite top 6 NHL player. There is more risk associated with Nazar and Moore.

Smith is an average skater, his foot speed needs alot of work, Cooley was a much better skater.

When Smith gets moving, he is definitely fast. Every scout has brought up his skating ability as a strength. I will say his motor is one of the biggest problems that may make him seem slow.

 

[Goldenhands]

Leonard all day for me. I’ve seen all three of those players extensively. I love Leonard as a player. He has all the tools you’d want in an NHL player pretty much.

Nazar is a great player. He has a lot of skill and an excellent shot that is really appealing and Moore has great hands, solid motor, and plays a two-way game to complement his ability as a playmaker.

But, I think Leonard has game breaking ability, a great shot, and good hands to go along with his physicality and willingness to go to the hard areas. He’s a complete player and I think he projects really well to being a dynamite top 6 NHL player. There is more risk associated with Nazar and Moore.


When Smith gets moving, he is definitely fast. Every scout has brought up his skating ability as a strength. I will say his motor is one of the biggest problems that may make him seem slow.

Yep, he can reach good enough top speed once he gets going, but his foot speed is lacking, the first steps are ugly.

 

[Captain97]

I think Cooley and Smith are similar type prospects. I think Cooley should have went #1 last year and that shows how good this draft really is. Gun to my head I'd take Cooley over Smith.

I think the entire top 4 last year was/is super close. But I agree I think all 4 go 5 or layer and are close to Smith which is pretty wild.

 

[Vancouver_2010]

i guess his slap shot is top notch?

 

[Kasperi kapanen]

i guess his slap shot is top notch?

HAHAHAHAH OMG DOOD

 

[Bowie22]

i guess his slap shot is top notch?

 

[Juxtaposer]

Every time there’s an update to the Will Smith thread but it’s just a slapping joke, another puppy sheds another tear. Just stop, none of you are even a little bit as funny as you think you are.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Every time there’s an update to the Will Smith thread but it’s just a slapping joke, another puppy sheds another tear. Just stop, none of you are even a little bit as funny as you think you are.

It's the singular reason why I might be hesitant if the Habs select him.

 

[Torts]

Gotta love a forward wearing a typical defense #. Looking like another great year for the NTDP.

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

3 assists for Smith today as the USNTDP faced off against the U18 Sweden team that featured ASP, Stenberg, Lindstein, NDN, etc.

 

[UrbanImpact]

I think people are starting to confuse Will Smith's patience and poise with the puck as a slow skater, low motor.

He has all the offensive tool.

In a recent interview, he says his game is most comparable to David Pastrnak.

Brillian prospect, not only does he have one of the best ICE-Q in this draft, he has the hands and vision to support it.

 

[William H Bonney]

I think people are starting to confuse Will Smith's patience and poise with the puck as a slow skater, low motor.

He has all the offensive tool.

In a recent interview, he says his game is most comparable to David Pastrnak.

Brillian prospect, not only does he have one of the best ICE-Q in this draft, he has the hands and vision to support it.

Astute point. It's classic HF binary evaluation.

 

[MichaelFarrell]

I think people are starting to confuse Will Smith's patience and poise with the puck as a slow skater, low motor.

He has all the offensive tool.

In a recent interview, he says his game is most comparable to David Pastrnak.

Brillian prospect, not only does he have one of the best ICE-Q in this draft, he has the hands and vision to support it.

I get where you are coming from but he for sure lacks motor at times. It’s not a huge issue. It’s just his style of play. He’s definitely not slow by any means. Skating is not a concern for me with his game at all and he absolutely has all the skills you’d want in a top 5 pick.

 

[Ryan Van Horne]

Couple goals so far for Smith today against Czechia in last game of U18 Four Nations.

 

[Ryan Van Horne]

And now a hat trick. The D is not so good, but I like the patience on this one. Finished with 4+1=5 in 9-1 win.

 

[NickH8]

And now a hat trick. The D is not so good, but I like the patience on this one. Finished with 4+1=5 in 9-1 win.

He's selling me more and more the more I watch him.

 

[bsu]

He's the same caliber player as Cooley IMO and I think Cooley should have went #1 overall last year. This draft is absolutely stacked for forwards.

 

[Kcoyote3]

Recapping USA U18's Devastating 9-1 Win over Czechia at Four Nations Tournament

Well that was certainly a hockey game. The last game of the tournament for USA ended with a 9-1 rout of Czechia. I had caught the USA's win over Sweden two days ago, recapping some of my observations here, but this was a whole separate level of beatdown. I'm going to break this down into areas...

www.half-wallhockey.com

 

[Martinez89]

He looks like a chess player on the ice that IQ !

 

[Ryan Van Horne]

Recapping USA U18's Devastating 9-1 Win over Czechia at Four Nations Tournament

Well that was certainly a hockey game. The last game of the tournament for USA ended with a 9-1 rout of Czechia. I had caught the USA's win over Sweden two days ago, recapping some of my observations here, but this was a whole separate level of beatdown. I'm going to break this down into areas...

www.half-wallhockey.com

"Rock star shit!" LOL, good one.

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

After a 4 point game against Green Bay yesterday, Smith is at the 2 points per game mark on the season (88 points in 44 games).

 

[WADEugottaBELAKthat]

After a 4 point game against Green Bay yesterday, Smith is at the 2 points per game mark on the season (88 points in 44 games).

Any idea how this season stacks up historically in terms of The Program? Wasn´t it Keller that owns the record for most points in a season? I am reading that he had 107 points in 62 GP in 15-16. Which is a 1.7 PPG. Seems like a REALLY impressive season from the Fresh Prince.