(VIDEO) What's going on with San Jose Sharks rookie Will Smith?
Will Smith hasn’t looked like an NHL player.
Of course, the context isn’t doing him any favour. The San Jose Sharks are heading for another season at the bottom of the league. Not only won’t they win many games, but with Macklin Celebrini out, their offensive potential also dropped.
Despite the environment, there are still in-game elements within Smith’s control. If he executed them well, we would believe he could develop at the NHL level. But for the most part, he’s not.
Winning battles, picking up rims, absorbing checks, managing the puck, attacking at pace, spotting open plays, driving the net, rotating defensively, maintaining defensive-side positioning, stick discipline... He’s struggling with many different aspects of the NHL game. And the weight of it all seems to be muting his offensive talents, too.
Smith has had few offensive chances since his arrival in the league. Against Colorado, he evaded a defender behind the line, sending him flying with a hard cutback, and then connected with a teammate in front of the net. And against Anaheim, he skated up, created a two-on-one, and got a chance to beat Lukas Dostal with one of his moves.
But overall, the puck is barely coming his way. This is not a context in which an offensively creative player can flourish. Even when he’s getting those favourable chances — 2-on-1s, 3-on-2s, a runway of space — he’s often not choosing the right plays.
We’re just a few games in. That’s what everyone is saying, but the schedule is only going to get harder and harder from here. That’s how NHL hockey works. Teams build chemistry and defences get even tighter. Smith displayed some of the same difficulties last season in the NCAA and in preseason, too. Most players who hit those roadblocks were guided back to their junior clubs or AHL affiliates.
The AHL may become the best path for Smith. Having defensive holes is one thing, but when a prospect looks overmatched physically, on top of struggling to drive the play, the NHL is too big of a step.
To develop, players need to play in an environment where they can experiment and push their limits. They need enough support and must face competition that is not too challenging. They need to feel like they have control over the game.
According to Sharks GM Mike Grier, based on a report from San Jose Hockey Now Sheng Peng, the team is not envisioning an AHL loan for Smith right now.
“The plan for him is to be up here, learn up here, play up here. We knew there was going to be ups and downs and bumps. I don’t envision it getting to the point where we feel like he needs to go to the American League and play. I think he’ll be fine up here.”
Other players struggled in their first games and then figured it out later at the NHL level. Juraj Slafkovský comes to mind. He scored two points in his first six games and 10 in 39 games. An injury then cut his rookie season short. It wasn't a success story, but he proved that he could hold his own as the weeks passed.
The difference with Smith is that Slafkovský wasn’t overmatched physically. He lacked technique, but could outmuscle most opponents, power up and down the ice, and hold his own around the net. All elements Smith has struggled to do.
At 19-years-old, the Canadiens could also offer Slafkovský a prime development spot in their lineup, two creative line-mates who could insulate him, outline the best path for him on the ice, and make his physical talents shine: Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield.
It’s harder to find a similar spot for Smith in the Sharks lineup.
Smith’s feel for the game will prevail over time His skills and talent will resurface and he should still become a top-six scorer.
The best scenario is that he improves his play in front of Shark fans this season, but if the signs that he’s losing confidence in his abilities, second-guessing himself, and limiting himself start multiplying, the team may have to rethink their plan for him.
In that scenario, keeping him up with the Sharks could have a long-term detrimental impact on his development.
Here, I break down some of Smith’s shifts against the Anaheim Ducks and the Chicago Blackhawks. I look at the challenges he’s facing and how his offensive game has translated to the NHL so far.
