He has a quick release as was evident in his first NHL goal but he is lethal when he gets time to load up. It is hard and accurate where he can pick his spot.
Speculation: Player Discussion: Will Smith
- Thread starter Shark Finn
- Start date
Loved it, but to be fair, Montreal's defense is soft as butter. Still good to see, but the next step will be to do that vs other much bigger/stronger defenses.
PattyLafontaine
Registered User
- Apr 5, 2006
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Juxtaposer
Outro: Divina Comedia
28 points in 53 games. More specifically, 24 points in his last 35 games. Even more specifically, 13 points in his last 13 games.
He's here.
He's here.
If anyone said that smith would finish on a 40+ point pace, they would of said that is the best outcome ever.
Juxtaposer
Outro: Divina Comedia
Yup. I predicted 35 points and would have been happy with that. He has an outside chance at like 45 points, which would match what Logan Cooley did last year. I feel like that would be an insane accomplishment given how he started the season.
Tw1ster
Registered User
He’s been consistently one of if not our best forwards over the past 15 games. Glad he’s proving a lot of people wrong
I'm one of em. I didn't think he was ready and I really felt the AHL was a better place for him to learn. I am looking pretty way off on that assessment. yum yum crow...
However, he is really coming on and its great to see. His defensive game and decision making have taken giant leaps too. Its not just the points, its being reliable on the ice to make smart choices and play well in all three zones. He os obviously a huge part of hte future, so its wonderful to see him clearly establishing himself...
Next year could be interesting with celly, smith and ek having a summer to train and continue developing. Its also nice to see Shak beginning to find his NHL legs. Graf too is starting to look like he belongs.
The kids are beginning to take their rightful places on the roster. Now, its just about getting more high end vets and more size into the lineup.
The team is weirdly close! They are 9-11 whne leading going into the 3rd period. They have been tied or leading sometime in the 3rd the large majority of their games including all of the games post- 4 nations. That means that they are close and just a few keys players, plus some development of the kids, could be enough to vault quickly upwards.
I could see smith, celly, and ek all have 70+ pt seasons as soon as next year if they get a couple top end puck moving D and few more forwards with some size and skill.
BaileyMacTavish
Hockey lovin' wolf
Honestly if Mack were healthy then whole season producing the way he is, he'd be a 70+ point guy now and only getting better
OverTheLine
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- May 11, 2011
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Smith’s ascent has been amazing to see. The question remains if he’s a center long-term given how good he’s looked as a playmaking winger. I suppose it probably depends on whether we draft a Misa or a Schaefer.
OrrNumber4
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- Jul 25, 2002
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Look at how much better the depth looks when you have some talent at the top of your lineup.
Emperor Joe Thornton
Registered User
Our 4th overall pick is now ahead of Stankoven for 4th overall in rookie points
timorous me
Gristled Veteran
- Apr 14, 2010
- 2,624
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Smith has come so far that he's now tied Luke Kunin in goals with 11.
He's also 15 better than Kunin in +/-, but I'm not sure that's worth going into too much since that still leaves him at -9
He's also 15 better than Kunin in +/-, but I'm not sure that's worth going into too much since that still leaves him at -9
tiburon12
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- Jul 18, 2009
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Biggest thing i've noticed is the split-second less time he takes to make a puck decision. HUGE split second in the nhl. He also seems smarter in his play away from the puck when the puck could be available. Like, he makes smarter decisions on when to engage and when to give space.
His growth has been such a positive sign for the future. He is also clearly driving play and chances on his line. His vision is incredible. It would not surprise me if he outscores Celebrini starting next season.
- Jul 25, 2007
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I would be surprised. I'm loving the improvement but it's also true that he has been shut down with more aggressive and faster paced defense. Hell of a shot, but both his 2 on 1 goals were a result of 1) a bad read by the strong side D, 2) Smith's good read to give himself the opportunity. And, a lot of the other fast break chances are likely to go away without improvement in his foot speed. That said, with Macklin on the ice, he's not the #1 threat and Macklin creates chaos in their defensive structure by just being fast and tenacious, so maybe their styles will continue to mesh well next season with Smith on the wing.
will smith's progression has been insane. For the first 20 games I was worried every time he touched the puck. These days --- multiple "wow" moments per game.
TheBigDrunkPanda
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- Oct 19, 2021
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30 pnts did not see that coming, good job by Warso and Grier on his development track he could possibly finish with 45 pnts. Once he puts on more muscle and improves his skating he and Mack and are going to be a problem
It’s weird in a way too because Granny’s gone so he’s drawing tougher assignments now and he’s excelling. Great to see NHL Smith is here
I could see Smith eclipsing 70 points next season. He has been at a 52 point pace since 10/31 after his slow start. He is the primary PPQB with everything running through him. He has been over a point per game since he he took over that role from Granlund.
Great Makohead Shork
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- Apr 25, 2022
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All Smith does is improve. We remember his growth in the NCAA, but how about in the USHL? Heck, he wasn't even in McKenzie's top 16 for the 2023 preliminary rankings. By end he was 4th. Smith is the perfect example of why teams bet on risers and that bet is paying off is spades. In fact, I'd wager Smith's recent play made Grier feel a whole lot more comfortable pulling the trigger on some of these trades. He's establishing himself as a bonified NHL playdriver and it's damned rewarding to watch.
karltonian
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- Jan 1, 2023
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You watch him play and see the puck get to him with physical players bearing down and go uh oh! He's overmatched ... then he makes a couple of nice plays and sets up celebrini for a laser.
He still needs to add strength so he can assert himself more but to be at this point now without that, on this doodoo squad...
He still needs to add strength so he can assert himself more but to be at this point now without that, on this doodoo squad...
CaptainShark
Registered User
While last night wasn’t great, one positive aspect is, that he started to try some slick stickhandling-moves again after putting those away for the last 20+ games. The confidence is building, I love watching that whole process.
Jargon
Registered User
What’s particularly impressive to me about Will’s growth is that it is SO hard to be physically overmatched both in strength and speed in hockey, especially at the NHL level. The fact that he’s figured out how to produce despite all of that just speaks to his talent and brain. Also, kudos to him for not giving up, dude just kept going and found his game. Really happy for him. He’s going to be absolutely insane if he can work on skating and strength this summer.
