LD Jackson Smith - Tri-City, WHL (2025 Draft)

[landy92mack29]

Makar and Sanderson developed much better in the NCAA instead of going to the Dub. Smith would benefit from going to the NCAA in his 18 or 19 year old season

there's no proof they did because they went ncaa vs whl because you can only go 1 route. Makar has a good argument for NCAA being a late bloomer and it kept him out of the AHL. Sanderson I think would be way better rounded if he went WHL though

 

[Hockeyville USA]

there's no proof they did because they went ncaa vs whl because you can only go 1 route. Makar has a good argument for NCAA being a late bloomer and it kept him out of the AHL. Sanderson I think would be way better rounded if he went WHL though

Hard disagree. Sanderson went from a pretty raw speed skating defenseman with the NTDP to a dominant defenseman with North Dakota. He's nowhere as good as he is now with Ottawa if he doesn't go to UND.

 

[montreal]

Mrtka Turnover/Jackson Smith Goal 3:33
Jackson Smith Turnover/Adam Benak Goal 5:31

not the best game from him.

 

[hockeykid87]

Mrtka Turnover/Jackson Smith Goal 3:33
Jackson Smith Turnover/Adam Benak Goal 5:31

not the best game from him.

Kinda got both sides of the coin from him in that game. He had a few of those boneheaded turnovers last season. I'd say once every 10 or so games he made a really, really bad turnover in front of his own net that directly led to a goal. Something he needs to work on no question.

 

[jtechkid68]

Outside Schaefer who really hadn’t played much the dmen in the draft going first round look uninspiring ! One of the scouts from the athletic said outside Schaefer they would have took 6 dmen ahead of second dmen pick in this year from last years draft . So you could argue Smith - Fiddler are second round talent

 

[landy92mack29]

Outside Schaefer who really hadn’t played much the dmen in the draft going first round look uninspiring ! One of the scouts from the athletic said outside Schaefer they would have took 6 dmen ahead of second dmen pick in this year from last years draft . So you could argue Smith - Fiddler are second round talent

um no 6 dmen went in the top 12 last year so even if someone believes that that still puts Smith as a mid 1st last year. Fiddler and Smith aren't anywhere near each other either it's Smith and Mrtka who are close. One person can think what they want but Smith+Mrtka are in the same tier as the 6 from last year to me with Schaefer being clearly ahead of them.

 

[Castle8130]

Smith goes top 15 no doubt. He isn’t as dominant as you’d want, but the size/skating/skill combo is hard to pass up on for NHL teams. I never thought he was great in his own end and he does make some bone headed plays from the games I’ve seen of him. Regardless of what he does at this tournament, the things he is capable of aren’t common amongst draft elgibles

 

[tomd]

Others have mentioned the same but Smith reminds me of Broberg. If the team that takes him can be patient with him, they'll reap the reward IMO.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

One person can think what they want but Smith+Mrtka are in the same tier as the 6 from last year

I would say they are not. But they would’ve gone in the teens still.

 

[SelltheTeamFrancesco]

Outside Schaefer who really hadn’t played much the dmen in the draft going first round look uninspiring ! One of the scouts from the athletic said outside Schaefer they would have took 6 dmen ahead of second dmen pick in this year from last years draft . So you could argue Smith - Fiddler are second round talent

So the scout is dumb what is your point? That is like saying Lindstrom went 4th overall last year you could argue there are 6 centers in this draft that would go ahead of him must be a second rounder right.

 

[Lumber]

I think Smith is going to round into a top Defenceman.

 

[jtechkid68]

age draft class. It’s a strong forward group, especially at center, with several premium forward prospects. It’s a poor defense group, though. The second defenseman picked this year would have been my sixth- or seventh-ranked defenseman last season. that’s Pronmon from the Athletic - haven’t heard anybody really like defensemen group outside Schaefer - but that’s very negative comment from a respected scout !Hes the most negative but haven’t heard really one scout like this dmen group so it is what is .

 

[rocketdan9]

I feel like Smith is getting slept on. 6'3 Ds that can skate like him don't come around that often. He can also log on top 4 minutes.

I also didn't know he has a howitzer of a shot.

I would be cool with the Bruins potentially taking him at 7.

 

[Jared Grayden]

I feel like Smith is getting slept on. 6'3 Ds that can skate like him don't come around that often. He can also log on top 4 minutes.

I also didn't know he has a howitzer of a shot.

I would be cool with the Bruins potentially taking him at 7.

Skills and tools are exceptional. No doubt there is a lot of potential there. The problem is his decision making is not good and it didn't show progression through the year. Everyone saw the same issues in the U18s as he was having months ago.

 

[rocketdan9]

Skills and tools are exceptional. No doubt there is a lot of potential there. The problem is his decision making is not good and it didn't show progression through the year. Everyone saw the same issues in the U18s as he was having months ago.

Yeah. During U18, He made a few terrible passes from behind the net. Basically passes right to opponents when under pressure.

If he can't iron out this wrinkle, best to keep it simple hockey/use the boards.

If offensive D/potential - is his calling. Best to pair him with a more stable D partner.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

I feel like Smith is getting slept on. 6'3 Ds that can skate like him don't come around that often. He can also log on top 4 minutes.

I also didn't know he has a howitzer of a shot.

I would be cool with the Bruins potentially taking him at 7.

You think he goes back to Tri City for another year and then a year or two of NCAA before turning pro?

 

[AlternateSideParking]

This kid is very talented but also vastly overrated, although some top-10 team will do what is expected and take the WHL defender with size, physicality, and mobility. He’ll probably interview well and come across as mature and a “character” type. In reality, he is nowhere near the defenseman Dragicevic was for TC, which says a lot because Dragicevic had flaws as well. I went back and looked at my Hlinka notes and he was the worst of all Canadian defenders in terms of decision-making and that carried wire to wire. His regular season was inconsistent in all areas and the playoffs were pretty close to a disaster.

If you asked me to pick between Kettles and Smith for a late/close stop or an entire Game 7, I’m taking Kettles. I’m ranking Smith as a late-first because he’s more likely to infuriate coaches and struggle simplifying his game.

 

[Jacob]

One thing is how strong he finished the year. Seemed like most of his goals and a lot of his points came in the last month or so of the season. He really finished well. Maybe that will carry over into next year.

 

[rocketdan9]

You think he goes back to Tri City for another year and then a year or two of NCAA before turning pro?

Another year at Tri City likely. Then not sure after that. He could jump to the AHL after.

The NCAA option now is interesting. But some prospects may not want to juggle hockey and school at the same time. There is also a small risk for NHL teams, if the player does not sign a pro contract (two years).

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Another year at Tri City for sure. Then not sure after that. He could jump to the AHL after.

The NCAA option now is interesting. But some prospects may not want to juggle hockey and school at the same time. There is also a small risk for NHL teams, if the player does not sign a pro contract two years later.

Smith can't jump to the A until his 20 year old season, thus would have to spend two more seasons in junior. I think Smith would benefit a lot by going to North Dakota or Denver and playing against older, age appropriate competition before turning pro.

 

[hockeykid87]

You think he goes back to Tri City for another year and then a year or two of NCAA before turning pro?

I think he will do two more years of Tri-City. I think whichever team drafts him is going to want him to play as many games as possible to work on his decision making. He'll get an ELC which would make him ineligible for the NCAA.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

I think he will do two more years of Tri-City. I think whichever team drafts him is going to want him to play as many games as possible to work on his decision making. He'll get an ELC which would make him ineligible for the NCAA.

Unless that team prefers the NCAA route and steers him in that direction

 

[rocketdan9]

Smith can't jump to the A until his 20 year old season, thus would have to spend two more seasons in junior. I think Smith would benefit a lot by going to North Dakota or Denver and playing against older, age appropriate competition before turning pro.

You're right. So spend two seasons in Tri City before jumping to the AHL.

NCAA route - However the player and agent may not want that.

At the moment I don't think I have heard that he plans to jump to the NCAA for next season. He could try to for the 26/27 season.

 

[UpsideHockey]

Action Jackson In-Depth at Upside Hockey: 2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Jackson Smith

 

[samsagat]

Watched a game of his against Seattle.

In this game, he was invisible in the 1st period, but he then switched gear and when he did it, was dominant.
In his own zone, in transition or in the o zone.

His skating is really something, he has it all, the mobility, the straightforward top speed, the acceleration, the agility, etc ..

Wouldn't surprise me if he's picked by the Seattle Kraken, they have needs at LHD.