Speculation: Player Discussion: Will Smith

[weastern bias]

It might come down to: if he asks, they'll send him down. He's definitely lost some confidence, but I think we need to give him 10-20 games on a team with Celebrini on it to evaluate and for him to evaluate.

I would be weary of letting a teenager make a decision about what's best for his future and would hope the organization is making that call based on what they think is best for him in the long term, but it's likely to be a conversation between both sides, they're heavily invested in his success as a top-5 pick, he kind of has to work out for us to have any aspirations of medium-term success

 

[coooldude]

I would be weary of letting a teenager make a decision about what's best for his future and would hope the organization is making that call based on what they think is best for him in the long term, but it's likely to be a conversation between both sides, they're heavily invested in his success as a top-5 pick, he kind of has to work out for us to have any aspirations of medium-term success

Sure, I wasn't saying he's making the decision unilaterally, but if it comes up and they talk through it and he wants to go down, then you do it.

 

[Alaskanice]

Sure, I wasn't saying he's making the decision unilaterally, but if it comes up and they talk through it and he wants to go down, then you do it.

I’ve watched this game for decades, I cannot recall one instance where I heard a player saying they want to go down. I’m not saying it can’t happen, it just sounds unlikely.

 

[coooldude]

I’ve watched this game for decades, I cannot recall one instance where I heard a player saying they want to go down. I’m not saying it can’t happen, it just sounds unlikely.

Sure, I have made myself pretty clear that I think he should stay up for 30-40 games (at least 20 with Macklin in the lineup) and also that Grier said the plan is to not send him down, so the whole exchange has been wildly speculative.

 

[hohosaregood]

I just don't think Smith needs to be in the AHL to develop. Maybe we'd like to ease him in in the AHL but he's a smart enough player with so much poise that I think he can develop while in the NHL. He obviously can't carry a line but he flashes offense every game and that's more than you can ask from half our line up

 

[Skeksis25]

If a player expresses he wishes to be in the minor leagues instead of the NHL, I would get really wary about that player. It may be best for the player, but that decision needs to be made by the organization, not the player himself. Like with Eklund during his first year, it was the right call to send him back to Sweden, but Eklund looked and sounded like his dog got shot or something. A player should never want to be sent to the minors.

 

[BaileyMacTavish]

I still think Smith can develop it the NHL. Just not sure how he can acclimate to the NHL pace sooner rather than later

 

[Pinkfloyd]

I still think Smith can develop it the NHL. Just not sure how he can acclimate to the NHL pace sooner rather than later

He can and probably will. He just may not acclimate to the NHL pace this season for a multitude of reasons. That's okay to me. Most rookies don't figure it out that first season.

 

[gaucholoco3]

Smith didn’t sign to make $83k per year. Part of the reason his development plan includes staying in the NHL is because that was definitely part of the discussion when he signed. While his camp has said the correct thing in public; that if the Sharks think its best to send him down he would go. He absolutely doesn’t want to make less than 10% of the pay just for his development.

These college top picks have leverage and he will stay in the NHL because of it.

 

[weastern bias]

He doesn't really have that leverage anymore, he signed a guaranteed contract and that guarantee goes both ways

College draft picks have outsized leverage only before they sign their deal, once they're locked in they're no different from any other prospect with an NHL contract, he's under our contractual control until he hits UFA, the most he can do is withhold his services and demand a trade but with the NHL tape he's put up so far he's not a particularly appealing asset to anyone but other rebuilding clubs

 

[LilLeeroy]

He doesn't really have that leverage anymore, he signed a guaranteed contract and that guarantee goes both ways

College draft picks have outsized leverage only before they sign their deal, once they're locked in they're no different from any other prospect with an NHL contract, he's under our contractual control until he hits UFA, the most he can do is withhold his services and demand a trade but with the NHL tape he's put up so far he's not a particularly appealing asset to anyone but other rebuilding clubs

And then his agent, that will be representing highly regarded NCAA prospects in the future, will recommend that they don't sign contracts with the Sharks.

Smith is staying in the NHL, prospects of his level just don't get much AHL time.

 

[weastern bias]

And then his agent, that will be representing highly regarded NCAA prospects in the future, will recommend that they don't sign contracts with the Sharks.

Smith is staying in the NHL, prospects of his level just don't get much AHL time.

Sean Coffey has 2 clients with NHL contracts, Will Smith and Lane Hutson, he's not some big shot power broker

Not all agents are created equal

 

[Star Platinum]

Sean Coffey has 2 clients with NHL contracts, Will Smith and Lane Hutson, he's not some big shot power broker

Not all agents are created equal

Send his ass to the ECHL. Let's let him know who has the power!

 

[weastern bias]

Send his ass to the ECHL. Let's let him know who has the power!

I'm not even advocating for sending him down, necessarily, I just think it's a bit doom-and-gloom to assume Smith and his camp have the organization over a barrel due to some perceived power imbalance

He's a teenage boy with zero career points signed to a guaranteed contract, if the team decides it would be in their best interest for him to play in the AHL they can absolutely send him there, he's an employee not a shareholder

 

[LilLeeroy]

Sean Coffey has 2 clients with NHL contracts, Will Smith and Lane Hutson, he's not some big shot power broker

Not all agents are created equal

Will Smith's agent is part of Quartexx Management and it looks like they have 59 clients currently in the NHL.

I'm not even advocating for sending him down, necessarily, I just think it's a bit doom-and-gloom to assume Smith and his camp have the organization over a barrel due to some perceived power imbalance

He's a teenage boy with zero career points signed to a guaranteed contract, if the team decides it would be in their best interest for him to play in the AHL they can absolutely send him there, he's an employee not a shareholder

And obviously they don't think the AHL is magically vastly superior for his development.

 

[Hodge]

It's good to immediately break the promises you made to your 4th overall pick in order to get him to leave college. This is a smart way to run a team.