SAN JOSE – There have been examples over the last couple of years where San Jose Sharks forward Will Smith has started something and perhaps needed a bit of time before he performed up to his capabilities.
That was the case for Smith at the IIHF World Junior Championship in 2024 before he helped Team USA win a gold medal, and it was true early in his first season with the Sharks before he became the fourth leading scorer among all NHL rookies.
This year’s Sharks training camp has had a similar feel for Smith, at least in the eyes of coach Ryan Warsofsky, who sat down with the skilled 20-year-old on Wednesday and indicated he wanted to see more from him with the start of the regular season now just a week away.
“He’s had some good days. Had some days where he’s kind of just blended in,” Warsofsky said of Smith. “My conversation with him today was that it’s time to start taking it to another level. He knows that. We’ve pushed him, we’ve challenged him, we’re going to continue to do that.
“We’re going to try to make him the best player possible. That’s our job.”
Smith was on the left wing, an unusual spot for him, for Wednesday’s preseason home game against the Anaheim Ducks, and had an assist on William Eklund’s third-period power-play goal in what became a 5-2 Sharks loss.
Smith was a -3 in 16:45 in ice time as he skated on a line with Philipp Kurashev and Cam Lund.
“He had some moments,” Warsofsky said Wednesday night of Smith’s game. “Still some room to get better and improve, but had some moments where he did some things that we talked about.”
Smith might be able to find his stride once Macklin Celebrini returns to the Sharks lineup.
Celebrini has used the last couple of weeks to recover from an undisclosed illness he came down with at the start of training camp on Sept. 18. Celebrini could be available to play in one of the Sharks’ final two preseason games and has also expressed confidence that he’ll be ready for the season-opener on Oct. 9 against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Smith and Celebrini, 19, will likely be on the same line for that game, a huge test to start the season for them and the revamped Sharks.
“I think there are always ways you can improve your game,” Smith said. “I just want to be a leader for the team, and I think we have a responsibility to bring this team back, so we’re just trying to do everything we can to get some wins.”
The Sharks’ coaching staff and front office have talked about not putting the weight of the world on Smith and Celebrini’s shoulders, seeing as how both still aren’t even old enough to buy a beer in this country. But like other early first-round draft picks before them, their development will likely be central to any future Sharks’ success.
“He’s got the ability to (start dominating),” Warsofsky said of Smith. “He’s got the ability to really take over hockey games. I want to see that.”
At the 2024 World Juniors, Smith had just three points in the Americans’ first four games in the preliminary round. After being challenged by Todd Marchant, the Sharks’ director of player development, Smith responded with two points in each of the next three games, including two assists in Team USA’s 6-2 win over host Sweden in the gold medal game.
Last season in San Jose, Smith had 13 points in his first 32 games but had 32 points in his final 42 games, which included a move from center to the wing. His 45 points only trailed Montreal’s Lane Hutson (66), Celebrini, and Philadelphia’s Matvei Michkov (63).
The Sharks decided over the summer to move Smith to the wing, feeling that it’s where he can make the most significant impact at this stage in his career.
“(Smith) puts some pressure on himself, which every young player does,” Warsofsky said. “I’m not saying he’s had an awful camp. We’ve mixed up the lines a bit. (Celebrini) hasn’t played much with him at all, but I want him to be his own guy. I want him to be Will Smith and be the best version of that.”
That’s why Warsofsky and Smith met early Wednesday.
“He’s got it in him,” Warsofsky said of Smith. “He’s a competitor. He wants to do well. He wants to get the Sharks winning hockey games. He wants to do well himself. It’s time to take the next step.”
“You can call it pressure, but it’s also something that you take pride in,” Smith said. “I think being so young and having these opportunities is pretty special.”
THE OTHER YOUNG GUYS
So, did center Michael Misa and defenseman Sam Dickinson help their chances of making the Sharks’ 23-man roster next week?
Neither teenager was stellar in Wednesday’s loss, but they appear to still be in the mix.
“They did some good things, and then when the pace gets going, they’re on their heels a little bit,” Warsofsky said. “They’ve got to be a little bit harder on their stick at times. Move pucks a little bit quicker, but it’s all to be expected.”